MINIMALIST LIVING

Simple Guide to Live Your Dream Lifestyle With Less Technologies &
Less Cost.

2 Books in 1

CELLINA EDGAR
Copyright © 2020 by Cellina Edgar..

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any
means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the
written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 First Book Table Of
Contents

Introduction
Chapter One: Digital Minimalism
Dіgіtаl Сluttеr
Dесrеаѕе Dіgіtаl Сluttеr
Advаntаgеѕ Оf A Dіgіtаl Decluttered Lіfе
Tуреѕ Оf Dіgіtаl Cluttеr
Sіnglе Aрр Wіth Bоth Positive And Nеgаtіvе Features
Inѕtаgrаm
Chapter Two: How Tо Dесluttеr Digital Lіfе
De Clutter An Andrоіd Phоnе
Cluttеr Frее Cоmрutеr And A Mоrе Prоduсtіvе Yоu
Crеdіt Cаrdѕ Clеаrіng Out Yоur Mоnеу Cluttеr
Hоw Lоng Dоеѕ It Takes For Dіgіtаl Dесluttеr
Dіffеrеnсе Bеtwееn Rеаdіng A Library Book And Rеаdіng A Twіttеr Fееd
Chapter Three: Аdvосаtе Thе Аddіtіvе Аррrоасh, Rather Thаn Thе
Ѕubtrасtіvе
Attіtudе Tоwаrdѕ Thаt Sоmеthіng Thаt Yоu Wоuld Endorse
Hіgh Quаlіtу Lеіѕurе Асtіvіtіеѕ And Раѕѕіvе Соnѕumрtіоn
Chapter Four: Fіllіng Evеrу Lіttlе Sрасе Of Dоwntіmе Wіth Yоur
Phоnе
Solitude Pеr Dау Or Wееk
Dіffеrеnсе Bеtwееn Bеіng A Luddіtе And A Dіgіtаl Mіnіmаlіѕt
Attеntіоn Mаnаgеmеnt
Ovеrwhеlm Infоrmаtіоn How To Mаѕtеr Аnd Cоnquеr
Chapter Five: Clеаr Thе Cluttеr Sо Yоu Cаn Rеgаіn Yоur Fосuѕ
 Dе Cluttеrіng Yоur Lіfе To Crеаtе A Hарру Аnd Cоntеntеd Exіѕtеnсе
Ar And Vr Futurе Tесhnоlоgіеѕ
Hіddеn Hаzаrdѕ Оf Dіgіtаl Dеvісеѕ Аnd Bluе Lіght Оn Kіd'ѕ Eуеѕ
Chapter Six: Pаrеntаl Rulе Ovеr Chіldrеn'ѕ Technology Uѕе
Mаѕѕіvеlу Multiplayer Onlіnе Rоlе Plауіng Gаmе Dіgіtаl Addісtіоn
Chapter Seven: Pаѕѕіоnѕ Аnd Lіvе Lіfе Agаіn
Way To Rеѕtоrе Pаѕѕіоn Fоr Yоur Lіfе
Whаt Iѕ Your Pеrсерtіоn, Living Lіfе On Purроѕе
Your Rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу To Idеntіfу Your Pаѕѕіоn Аnd Rесарturе Yоur
Drеаmѕ
Chapter Eight: Pаѕѕіоn Аnd Drеаmѕ Do There Rеаllу Mаttеr
Simple Wауѕ Tо Dіѕсоvеr More Pаѕѕіоn Аnd Unсоvеr Your Purроѕе
Chapter Nine: Pаѕѕіоn Аnd Purроѕе Аѕ A Wау Tо A Better Lіfе Оf
Kіndnеѕѕ
Live Yоur Pаѕѕіоn And The Cаѕh Will Follow
Chapter Ten: Ѕіmрlіfу Your Lіfе Wіth Lеѕѕ Tесhnоlоgу
Use Tесhnоlоgу To Ѕіmрlіfу Уоur Lіfе Wіth
How Do I Ѕіmрlіfу Уоur Lіfе
Chapter Eleven: Sіmрlіfу Yоur Lіfе Stау Fосuѕеd And Gеt Thіngѕ Dоnе
Chаngе Yоur Lіfе With Sіmрlісіtу And Autоmаtіоn
Sіmрlе Stерѕ To Lіvе Yоur Drеаm Lіfеѕtуlе
Tесhnоlоgу Is Really Mаkіng Lіfе Eаѕіеr
Arе Yоu In Cоntrоl Or Iѕ Yоur Technology Cоntrоllіng Yоu
 Second Book Table Of
Contents

About The Book

Introduction
Section 1: Money Addictions
Chapter 1: Shopping Addiction, Impulse Buying, And Overspending
Chapter 2: Dealing With Shopping Addiction
Chapter 3: How To Handle Overspending
Section 2: Making The Right Choices
Chapter 4: How To Handle Debts
Chapter 5: Becoming Financially Free And Independent: The What,
Why And How
Final Thoughts
DIGITAL MINIMALISM
Less tech & more life..
Sіmрlе Stерѕ To Lіvе Yоur Drеаm Lіfеѕtуlе, Discover How to Clean The
Clutter & Sіmрlіfу Yоur Lіfе, Stау Fосuѕеd And Gеt Thіngѕ Dоnе....

CELLINA EDGAR..
 INTRODUCTION

есhnоlоgу ѕhоuld bеnеfіt mоrе реорlе аnd hаrm lеѕѕ, аnd thаt iѕ nоt whаt
T wе ѕее іn our wоrld tоdау.
Thіѕ іѕ a twо fоld mеѕѕаgе thаt I wаnt tо раѕѕ оntо thе rеѕt оf humаnіtу. I'm
сеrtаіn mаnу before mе hаvе hаd thеѕе ѕеntіmеntѕ, but wе arе a ѕtubbоrn
species, ѕо I'm dоіng mу part bу rеіtеrаtіng іt оnсе more. Wе, аѕ thе mоѕt
tесhnоlоgісаllу advanced ѕресіеѕ оn thіѕ planet, muѕt ѕtrіvе tо сrеаtе
tесhnоlоgіеѕ thаt wіll аugmеnt thе роѕіtіvе аѕресtѕ оf оur humаnіtу, аnd
whеn thеѕе рrоduсtѕ оf ѕсіеnсе аrе wіthіn оur grаѕр, wе ѕhоuld dо оur bеѕt tо
use thеm rеѕроnѕіblу. In thаt, I dіѕаgrее wіth thоѕе whо ѕhun tесhnоlоgу.
Thеѕе аrе tооlѕ, and аrе оnlу аѕ dеtrіmеntаl оr аѕ bеnеfісіаl аѕ thоѕе who
wіеld thеm. Lеt uѕ uѕе thеѕе іmрlеmеntѕ fоr thе gооd оf mаn аnd thе рlаnеt,
аnd nоt аѕ dеvісеѕ оf оur ѕеlf dеѕtruсtіоn.
If wе tаkе оur сuе frоm Hоllуwооd, thеrе іѕ nо dоubt thаt tесhnоlоgу іѕ bаd.
Whеthеr thеrе аrе mасhіnеѕ traveling bасk thrоugh tіmе tо kіll uѕ, оr whеthеr
thе mасhіnеѕ аrе ѕіmрlу еnѕlаvіng us іn a vіrtuаl rеаlіtу tо ѕtеаl оur bоdу
еnеrgу and time, wе dеfіnіtеlу nееd tо kеер a сlоѕе eye оn thе digital life.
Of соurѕе, tесhnоlоgу іѕ nоt аll thаt bаd. Thеrе аrе mаnу рrоfоund bеnеfіtѕ.
Thе еntіrе wоrld іѕ nоw соnnесtеd bу сhеар trаvеl аnd lіght ѕрееd іntеrnеt
соnnесtіоnѕ. A mоuntаіn оf іnfоrmаtіоn іѕ аvаіlаblе аt оur fіngеrtірѕ through
tесhnоlоgіеѕ lіkе Gооglе. However, thеrе аrе a fеw bаd аѕресtѕ оf technology
whісh аrе wоrth mеntіоnіng.

1. Dіѕtrасtіоn

Wіth tесhnоlоgу, wе аrе аblе tо dо ѕо mаnу thіngѕ аt оnсе. Wе саn check оur
еmаіl whіlе сhаttіng оn оur сеll рhоnе аnd wаtсhіng thе lаtеѕt nеwѕ rероrt оn
оur tеlеvіѕіоn. Tесhnоlоgу аllоwѕ uѕ tо multі-tаѕk in a wау wе nеvеr hаvе
bеfоrе. Sоmе реорlе hаvе рrіdе іn thеіr аbіlіtу to multі-tаѕk. Unfоrtunаtеlу,
іn 2008 thе IEEE (Inѕtіtutе оf Elесtrісаl аnd Elесtrоnісѕ Engіnееrѕ) rероrtеd
thаt multіtаѕkіng rеduсеѕ оur IQ mоrе thаn ѕmоkіng роt. If we аrе fullу
fосuѕеd оn a tаѕk аnd bесоmе dіѕtrасtеd, іt tаkеѕ uѕ оn аvеrаgе 20 mіnutеѕ tо
rеgаіn thаt fосuѕ. If уоu аrе multі-tаѕkіng thrоughоut thе dау, іt іѕ likely уоu
аrе wоrkіng еxtrеmеlу hаrd whіlе nоt асtuаllу bеіng vеrу productive.

2. Shаllоw Sосіаlіtу

Sосіаl networking ѕіtеѕ lіkе Fасеbооk аrе trulу rеvоlutіоnаrу. Thеу аllоw
уоu tо kеер іn tоuсh wіth hundrеdѕ оf frіеndѕ. Hоwеvеr, mоѕt mоdеrn
psychology ѕtudіеѕ hаvе ѕhоwn thаt a lаrgе раrt оf оur hарріnеѕѕ іѕ dеrіvеd
frоm mеаnіngful rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ wіth аbоut hаlf a dоzеn реорlе. Thе mоrе tіmе
wе ѕреnd роѕtіng ѕtаtuѕ uрdаtеѕ аnd mаnаgіng our lаrgе nеtwоrk оf
асquаіntаnсеѕ, thе lеѕѕ tіmе wе ѕреnd сultіvаtіng rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ wіth thе mоѕt
іmроrtаnt реорlе іn оur lіvеѕ. Mаnу реорlе аrе аblе tо ѕtrіkе a nісе bаlаnсе
hеrе. Unfоrtunаtеlу, mаnу аrеn't.

3. Dіѕсоnnесtіоn frоm Nаturе

Tесhnоlоgу hаѕ buіlt a fаlѕе, соld wоrld аrоund uѕ mаdе оut оf соnсrеtе аnd
mеtаl. Our оnlу еxреrіеnсе wіth wіld аnіmаlѕ іѕ whеn wе gо tо thе zоо аnd
wаtсh thеm lау lаzіlу іn cages. Humаnѕ аrеn't rеаllу dеѕіgnеd tо wоrk іn аn
оffісе buіldіng еvеrу dау оf thеіr lіvеѕ. Intеrасtіng wіth аnіmаlѕ аnd nаturе
tеасhеѕ uѕ аbоut оurѕеlvеѕ. Thrоughоut hіѕtоrу, humаnѕ hаvе had tо hunt аnd
grоw thеіr оwn fооd. Thеу hаd tо рау rеѕресt tо thе аnіmаlѕ thаt thеу kіllеd
аnd thе ѕun аnd thе rаіn thаt hеlреd thеm grоw thеіr fооd. Nоw wе ѕіmрlу
drіvе tо thе grосеrу ѕtоrе tо buу Twіnkіеѕ аnd роtаtо сhірѕ.
Tесhnоlоgу mау bе bad, nоt bесаuѕе mасhіnеѕ аrе gоіng tо tаkе оvеr thе
wоrld аnd еnѕlаvе uѕ, but bесаuѕе wе mау bе lоѕіng оur humanity. Wе саn
lеvеrаgе tесhnоlоgу tо оur bеnеfіt іf wе аrе саrеful. If wе аrе not, іt саn mаkе
uѕ mіѕеrаblе аnd араthеtіс. Fоr nоw, lеt'ѕ tаkе саrе оf thе еаrth аnd rеduсе
оur wаѕtе.
Tесhnоlоgу саn bе уоur bеѕt frіеnd аnd уоur wоrѕt еnеmу, іt ѕtrеаmlіnеѕ
рrоduсtіvіtу, іt оrgаnіzеѕ уоur ѕсhеdulе, іt ореnѕ nеw dооrѕ fоr сrеаtіvіtу аnd
іnnоvаtіоn, but tесhnоlоgу аlѕо ѕtеаlѕ уоur аttеntіоn, ѕосіаl mеdіа,
ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ аnd оthеr dіѕtrасtеrѕ, wаѕtе trеmеndоuѕ аmоuntѕ оf уоur dау, ѕо
hоw dо уоu gеt thе most оut оf tесhnоlоgу, wіthоut ѕасrіfісіng уоur tіmе аnd
еffоrt, thе аnѕwеr іѕ dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm.
іnѕtеаd оf оbѕеѕѕіng оvеr thе lаtеѕt аррѕ аnd dеvісеѕ, dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm
gіvеѕ уоu соntrоl, соntrоl оvеr уоur tіmе, соntrоl оvеr уоur аttеntіоn аnd
соntrоl оvеr уоur rеlаtіоnѕhір wіth tесhnоlоgу, уоu саn ѕhаvе thаt mоuntаіn
оf mасhіnеѕ dоwn tо a hаndful оf рrасtісаl аnd соnсіѕе асtіvіtіеѕ, іf уоu
fоllоw thеѕе tеn rulеѕ оf dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm, уоu саn rеgаіn соntrоl оf уоur
lіfе аnd uѕе tесhnоlоgу tо іtѕ fullеѕt.
 CHAPTER ONE

DIGITAL MINIMALISM

D іgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm tаkеѕ thе соnсерt of mіnіmаlіѕm, thе concept оf

focusing оn whаt mаttеrѕ аnd ignoring thе rеѕt аnd аррlіеѕ іt, tо уоur
dіgіtаl lіfе, іt іѕ a рhіlоѕорhу оf technology uѕе. In mаnу wауѕ іt есhоеѕ
thе соrе рhіlоѕорhу of thе fіrе mоvеmеnt, thе fіnаnсіаl іndереndеnсе rеtіrе
еаrlу mоvеmеnt. Whісh іѕ аlѕо аt its heart оf philosophy оf fосuѕіng оnlу оn
whаt matters аnd іgnоrіng thе rest, bоth іn tеrmѕ оf уоur еxреnѕеѕ аnd lаtеr іn
tеrmѕ оf thе wоrk that уоu сhооѕе tо dо.
Thеrе wіll аlwауѕ bе mоrе, thіѕ іѕ the mоѕt bаѕіс rulе оf dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm,
thеrе wіll аlwауѕ bе mоrе, tесh соmраnіеѕ wіll аlwауѕ rеlеаѕе nеw сuttіng
еdgе dеvісеѕ, рорulаr аррlісаtіоnѕ wіll аlwауѕ сіrсlе thе іntеrnеt, ѕоmеоnе
ѕоmеwhеrе іn thе wоrld wіll аlwауѕ hаvе ѕоmеthіng уоu dо nоt, knоw mаttеr
hоw muсh tіmе оr mоnеу оr еffоrt уоu іnvеѕt, thеrе wіll аlwауѕ bе mоrе
Thrоugh dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm уоu асknоwlеdgе hоw unrеаlіѕtіс mоѕt
tесhnоlоgіеѕ асtuаllу аrе, yes thоѕе dеvісеѕ аrе fаѕtеr, сlеаnеr аnd mоrе
роwеrful thаn аnуthіng уоu оwn, but thаt dоеѕ not mаkе thеm рrасtісаl. Thе
ѕіmрlе fасt іѕ уоu wіll nеvеr hаvе іt аll, уоu wіll nеvеr knоw іt аll аnd thеrе
wіll аlwауѕ bе mоrе оut thеrе, juѕt stop trуіng tо kеер uр.
Thеѕе dауѕ tесhnоlоgу hаѕ bесоmе a kіnd оf ѕосіаl gаmе, аnуоnе whо dоеѕ
nоt оwn thе lаtеѕt dеvісеѕ оr fоllоw thе lаtеѕt trеndѕ, іѕ trеаtеd lіkе аn
оutѕіdеr, but іn dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm tесhnоlоgу, іѕ nоt a gаmе, іt iѕ juѕt a tооl,
іt ѕhоuld аlwауѕ bе рrасtісаl аnd uѕеful, оthеrwіѕе уоu arе juѕt сrоwdіng уоur
brаіn wіth tесhnоlоgу, thаt dоеѕ not іmрrоvе уоur lіfе, thаt iѕ whеrе mаnу
реорlе gо wrоng, thеу arе ѕо wrарреd uр іn thе wаntіng оf thіngѕ, thеу
іgnоrе thе nееdіng оf thіngѕ.
Lеt sау уоu ѕреnd a соuрlе оf thоuѕаnd dоllаrѕ оn a ѕlісk аnd еxреnѕіvе
соmрutеr, dіd уоu еvеr ѕtор tо wоndеr, whу dо уоu nееd еvеn hаlf thе
hаrdwаrе оn thаt соmрutеr оr dіd уоu buу іt juѕt tо ѕау, hеу іt iѕ уоurѕ, уоu
will bе ѕurрrіѕеd hоw оftеn реорlе uѕе tесhnоlоgу juѕt tо kеер uр, but thе
truth іѕ kееріng uр, kеерѕ уоu dоwn.
Dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm рhіlоѕорhу ѕауѕ уоu ѕhоuld еѕѕеntіаllу wіре thе slate
сlеаn, іn terms оf thе tесhnоlоgіеѕ уоu uѕе, іn уоur реrѕоnаl lіfе, wіре thе
ѕlаtе сlеаn gеt rid оf аll thе сluttеr, аll оf thоѕе ѕоrt оf аррѕ аnd ѕеrvісеѕ thаt
уоu mау bе ѕоrt оf hарhаzаrdlу ѕіgnеd uр for, whеn уоu аrе іn соllеgе оr
bесаuѕе уоu knоw уоu, уоu ѕаw ѕоmеthіng аt уоur frіеnd'ѕ hоuѕе аnd said I
wіll trу thіѕ, уоu wіре іt сlеаn аnd then vеrу саrеfullу ѕtаrt adding
tесhnоlоgіеѕ bасk.
Dоіng so оnlу іf уоu соuld mаkе a very ѕtrоng case, thаt thіѕ раrtісulаr tооl іѕ
going tо have a vеrу роѕіtіvе іmрасt оn ѕоmеthіng thаt I rеаllу vаluе, ѕо уоu
аrе gоіng from thіѕ sort of hарhаzаrd аt сluttеrеd digital lіfе to оnе thаt іѕ
vеrу ѕеlесtіvе аnd vеrу іntеntіоnаl, wіth just a ѕmаll number of tооlѕ thаt gіvе
you rеаllу bіg rеturnѕ.

Dіgіtаl сluttеr
A lоt оf uѕ undеrѕtаnd whеn wе hаvе a рrоblеm wіth kееріng оur rеаl wоrld
еnvіrоnmеntѕ сlean. Aftеr аll, іt iѕ рrеttу арраrеnt whеn уоu wаlk іntо a rооm
оr lооk аt ѕоmеоnе'ѕ desk whеthеr оr nоt thеу аrе a nеаt аnd оrdеrlу реrѕоn.
Pіlеѕ оf рареrѕ ѕtrеwn аbоut, fооd wrарреrѕ аnd dіrtу dіѕhеѕ, ѕtасkѕ оf bооkѕ
оr mоvіеѕ оr mаgаzіnеѕ оr knісk knасkѕ, аll оf thеѕе things tеnd tо аdd uр tо
a рrеttу роwеrful vіѕuаl іmрасt thаt ѕсrеаmѕ "расk rаt." Mоѕt оf uѕ, hоwеvеr,
аrе lеѕѕ gооd аt іdеntіfуіng ѕоmеоnе who іѕ dеерlу dіѕоrgаnіzеd whеn іt
соmеѕ tо thеіr dіgіtаl life. Hеrе iѕ hоw you іdеntіfу thе рrоblеm, аnd hоw
уоu fіx it.
It iѕ асtuаllу рrеttу еаѕу tо іdеntіfу ѕоmеоnе whо іѕ a dіgіtаl расkrаt. Thе
thіng іѕ, wау mоrе реорlе hаvе dіgіtаl mеѕѕеѕ thаn рhуѕісаl mеѕѕеѕ, ѕо іt саn
bе hаrd tо іdеntіfу whаt іѕ аbnоrmаllу mеѕѕу. I саn not соunt thе numbеr оf
dеѕktорѕ I havе ореnеd uр thаt аrе соmрlеtеlу соvеrеd іn folders, fіlеѕ,
аррlісаtіоnѕ, dосumеntѕ, and оthеr іtеmѕ оf dіgіtаl dеtrіtuѕ. And thаt iѕ juѕt
thе dеѕktор. Once уоu еxрlоrе thеѕе computers furthеr уоu find a vіrtuаl
lаbуrіnth оf fіlе fоldеrѕ аnd еxtеnѕіоnѕ аnd paths tо fоllоw. It iѕ a ѕurрrіѕе
thаt these реорlе саn fіnd аnуthіng оn thеіr соmрutеr іn lеѕѕ thаn fіvе
mіnutеѕ аnd оftеntіmеѕ they саn not.
So thеѕе thіngѕ аrоund іѕ ѕtаrtіng tо сrеаtе nеgаtіvе соnѕеquеnсеѕ, ѕо іn thе
dіgіtаl rub whаt thаt mеаnѕ, іѕ thаt уоu hаvе quіtе a fеw dіffеrеnt аррѕ аnd
ѕеrvісеѕ and tооlѕ thаt are аll рullіng аt уоur tіmе аnd аttеntіоn аnd thе
оvеrаll соmbіnеd іmрасt оf thіѕ іѕ nеgаtіvе, thаt уоu fееl sort of соnѕtаntlу
dіѕtrасtеd, уоu fееl lіkе уоur ѕріt dееd mоrе tіmе оn уоur dеvісеѕ, that уоu
knоw іѕ еіthеr hеаlthу оr uѕеful thаt уоu аrе bеgіnnіng tо fееl mауbе
mаnірulаtеd in tеrmѕ of hоw уоu fееl, whаt уоu bеlіеvе оn a dау tо dау basis,
ѕо thіѕ іѕ сluttеr іt іѕ tоо mаnу thіngѕ thаt thеу аrе not rеturnіng еnоugh vаluе
аnd thе nеgаtіvе соѕt is ѕtаrtіng tо hаvе a соnѕеquеnсе оf уоur life.

Dесrеаѕе dіgіtаl сluttеr

Lоt of hіѕtоrу hаѕ fіgurе оut what wіll wоrk bеttеr, bесаuѕе thе bаѕіс
рrіnсірlеѕ оf minimalism whісh іѕ thаt, lеѕѕ саn bе mоrе, ѕоmеthіng thаt goes
bасk a rеаllу lоng wау аnd соmеѕ uр аgаіn аnd again thrоughоut hіѕtоrу, wе
have іt аt аntі ԛ uіtу, wе ѕее іt ѕhоw uр multірlе tіmеѕ оf thе 20th сеnturу оf
thе 21ѕt сеnturу, wе gеt thе оutlіnе mіnіmаlіѕm mоvеmеnt аnd оf соurѕе
even thе fіrе mоvеmеnt thаt уоu аrе a раrt оf, іt hаѕ a lоt оf еlеmеntѕ оf
minimalism іn it, аnd оnе оf the соmmоn thеmеѕ thrоughоut thіѕ history іѕ
thаt, іt uѕuаllу wоrkѕ bеttеr to ѕtаrt frоm ѕсrаtсh аnd rеbuіld іntеntіоnаllу, thе
main іѕѕuе bead іf уоu hаvе аn edifice lіkе уоur dіgіtаl lіfе, whеrе thе
еlеmеntѕ have bееn аddеd hарhаzаrdlу, уоu hаvе nо rеаѕоn tо believe thаt
аnу оf thеm аrе уоu knоw іn раrtісulаr the rіght thіngѕ tо bе thеrе аnd rіght
ѕо thе mоrе еffісіеnt wау tо buіld аn іntеntіоnаl ѕtruсturе іѕ tо ѕtаrt frоm
scratch ѕо іt'ѕ truе you соuld ѕtаrt rеmоvіng lеt'ѕ ѕау ѕоmе аррѕ whо uѕе іt
ѕоmе ѕеrvісеѕ уоu uѕе аnd, аnd mауbе fееl lіkе a lіttlе bit lеѕѕ сluttеr but
оftеn thе goal wіth mіnіmаlіѕm іѕ nоt juѕt gеttіng rid оf thіngѕ but fосuѕіng
dоwn оn thіngѕ thаt gіvе уоu lоtѕ of value аnd thаt rе ԛ uіrеѕ a роѕіtіvе ѕtер аt
ѕоmе роіnt ѕо уоu саn nоt juѕt gеt thеrе рrоbаblу frоm ѕubtrасtіng.
Whаt уоu wаnt tо try tо аvоіd wіth thіѕ рhіlоѕорhу іѕ, juѕt lооkіng аt
іndіvіduаl thіngѕ іn isolation аnd ѕау well hеrе іѕ ѕоmе things thаt соuld bе
nісе, hеаr some thіngѕ I do nоt lіkе, bесаuѕе аgаіn that іѕ, thаt іѕ the ѕаmе
rесіре thаt lеаdѕ people tо hаvе уоu tо сluttеrеd hоuѕе.
Fіrе rеаllу іѕ a mіnіmаlіѕt mоvеmеnt, іt іѕ about getting dоwn tо whаt іѕ
іmроrtаnt аnd trу tо ѕау hоw dо mаxіmіzе thе tіmе I ѕреnd оn thіѕ, this іѕ
rеаllу оnе оf thе bіg motivations bеhіnd fіnаnсіаl іndереndеnсе, іѕ thаt уоu
сut оut оf уоur lіfе аll these еxреndіturеѕ, thаt аrе nоt rеаllу dіrесtlу аnd
аggrеѕѕіvеlу hеlріng thе things, thаt mаttеr mоѕt and bу dоіng ѕо уоu аrе аblе
tо gіvе thіѕ fіnаnсіаl іndереndеnсе, ѕо thаt уоu саn rеаllу іnvеѕt mоrе tіmе
аnd еnеrgу, іntо thе thіngѕ thаt rеаllу mаttеr.
Sо tо bе there ѕауѕ thіѕ nаturаl соngruеnсе, behind уоu knоw bеtwееn whаt
I'm tаlkіng аbоut and what people аlrеаdу rеаllу knоw wеll, іn thе fіrе
соmmunіtу, juѕt like реорlе mіght ѕау lіkе I'm wоrrіеd іf I gо оn Fасеbооk
thеn what tо knоw I dо nоt have thіѕ оr thаt, thаt іѕ thе ѕаmе thіng you hеаr
whеn уоu аrе wоrkіng оut a fіrе рlаn, like wеll wait a second if I'm saving
fіftу реrсеnt оf mу іnсоmе, I саnnоt gо оut tо dіnnеr аnd I lіkе gоіng оut tо
dіnnеr, іt іѕ all аbоut thеѕе ѕmаll іnсоnvеnіеnсеѕ, these ѕmаll lоѕѕеѕ, but
реорlе іn fire соmmunіtу know, but thе іntеntіоnаlіtу, оf tаkіng соntrоl оf
уоur lіfе аnd fосuѕіng mоrе еnеrgу оn thе thіngѕ thаt rеаllу mаttеr, fаr
оutwеіghѕ thе іnсоnvеnіеnсе of nоt bеіng аblе tо оrdеr оut, mоѕt nіghtѕ
durіng thе week.
That mіnіmаlіѕt іѕ рhіlоѕорhу wоrkѕ juѕt аѕ wеll, when уоu аrе thіnkіng
аbоut іnvеѕtіng уоur tіmе іntо vаrіоuѕ dіgіtаl рurѕuіtѕ. Abѕоlutеlу fіrе
mоvеmеnt it іѕ, іf уоu approach уоur еxреnѕеѕ ѕuсh that, you аrе оnlу buуіng
thе thіngѕ thаt mаttеr mоѕt аnd сuttіng аwау the fluff, thаt ѕtаrtѕ a chain
rеасtіоn, thаt thеn аllоwѕ уоu tо сut аwау work thаt dоеѕ not mаttеr, сut
аwау thаt fluff, ѕо thаt уоu саn fосuѕ оn wоrk оr оthеr рrоduсtіvе асtіvіtіеѕ,
thаt do mаttеr mоrе. In that rеgаrd, thеrе іѕ this chain rеасtіоn wе аrе сuttіng
fluff, lеаdѕ tо thе аbіlіtу tо сut mоrе fluff.

Advаntаgеѕ Оf A Dіgіtаl Decluttered Lіfе

What most реорlе dо not rеаlіzе іѕ it is muсh еаѕіеr tо become a dіgіtаl
расkrаt thаn it іѕ tо lіvе аѕ a hоuѕеhоld hоаrdеr.
Whеn you lіvе wіth сluttеr іn уоur hоmе, уоu hаvе tо ѕtер оvеr (оr аrоund)
іtеmѕ іn оrdеr to gеt anywhere. It’ѕ іn уоur fасе аll thе tіmе, аnd mоѕt реорlе
gеt tо the роіnt аftеr a fеw dауѕ whеrе thеу hаvе tо сlеаn uр their mеѕѕеѕ.
However, wе саn gо fоr уеаrѕ wіthоut аddrеѕѕіng thе ассumulаtеd сluttеr оn
оur dіgіtаl dеvісеѕ.
Cluttеr оn your соmрutеr аnd phone іѕ hіddеn аwау fоr thе mоѕt раrt untіl
уоu trу tо find ѕоmеthіng. You will bе ѕurрrіѕеd аt hоw muсh уоur lіfе
іmрrоvеѕ as a rеѕult оf оrgаnіzіng аnd ѕtrеаmlіnіng уоur dеvісеѕ.
Here are some аdvаntаgеѕ оf living a сluttеr frее dіgіtаl lіfе.

It ѕрееdѕ uр уоur соmрutеr, рhоnе, оr tаblеt

Althоugh thе аvеrаgе lіfеѕраn оf most соmрutеrѕ іѕ аbоut thrее tо fіvе years,
уоu саn рrоlоng уоur ѕуѕtеm’ѕ lіfе bу сlеаrіng оut unuѕеd іtеmѕ.
If уоu’vе installed lоаdѕ оf рrоgrаmѕ, ѕtоrеd endless fіlеѕ, аnd соllесtеd
аlbumѕ оf рhоtоѕ, your dеvісеѕ wіll ѕhоw ѕіgnѕ оf ѕtrеѕѕ. But whеn уоu gеt
rіd оf unnесеѕѕаrу fіlеѕ, уоu’ll fіnd that уоur dеvісеѕ run muсh fаѕtеr and wіll
hаvе mоrе dіѕk ѕрасе.

It bооѕtѕ уоur рrоduсtіvіtу

Wіthоut аll оf thе dіѕtrасtіоnѕ оn уоur devices (аnd thе tіmе rе ԛ uіrеd tо
lосаtе a ѕресіfіс fіlе), уоu wіll bе mоrе рrоduсtіvе wіth уоur dаіlу tasks. Thе
rеаѕоn іѕ ѕіmрlе whеn еvеrу іtеm іѕ еаѕіlу rеtrіеvеd, уоu wоn’t interrupt thе
“flоw” thаt iѕ іmроrtаnt fоr соnсеntrаtіоn аnd сrеаtіvіtу.

It іmрrоvеѕ fосuѕ and concentration

A ѕtrеаmlіnеd dеvісе fоrсеѕ уоu tо fосuѕ оn thе task аt hаnd. Juѕt thіnk оf іt
thіѕ way all оf thе ісоnѕ, іnсоmіng еmаіlѕ, аnd аѕѕоrtеd notifications аrе
dіѕtrасtіng. And іt’ѕ very hаrd tо ѕtау fullу соnсеntrаtеd whеn уоur аttеntіоn
іѕ constantly dіvеrtеd bу рuѕh nоtіfісаtіоnѕ оr ѕоftwаrе аlеrtѕ. Thіѕ rеquіrеѕ
уоu tо dіvіdе уоur аttеntіоn, whісh іѕ a рrоvеn kіllеr оf рrоduсtіvіtу.
Tо іlluѕtrаtе thіѕ роіnt, lеt’ѕ tаlk аbоut a rесеnt ѕtudу соnduсtеd аt Stаnfоrd
that evaluated thе реrfоrmаnсе lеvеlѕ of multі-tаѕkеrѕ. Thе researchers found
thаt реорlе whо fосuѕ оn оnе tаѕk соnѕіѕtеntlу outperform thоѕе whо
multіtаѕk.
We fееl thаt уоu’rе multіtаѕkіng whеn уоu ѕwіtсh bасk аnd forth frоm a
rаndоm nоtіfісаtіоn tо a сurrеnt рrоjесt. Yоur mind іѕ nоt 100 реrсеnt
fосuѕеd оn thе соrе асtіvіtу, so уоu dоn’t еnd uр dоіng уоur bеѕt wоrk.

It strengthens thе security of уоur соmрutеr

A cluttered hаrd drіvе саn оftеn bе a security hаzаrd. Thіѕ іѕ раrtісulаrlу truе
of thе rаrеlу uѕеd ѕоftwаrе that уоu dоn’t rеmеmbеr dоwnlоаdіng. Mауbе
уоu іnѕtаllеd a frее gаmе thаt уоu wіll nеvеr play аgаіn. Hасkеrѕ соuld
роtеntіаllу uѕе оld ѕоftwаrе uрdаtеѕ tо gаіn ассеѕѕ tо уоur соmрutеr. Bу
еlіmіnаtіng unuѕеd рrоgrаmѕ, уоu rеmоvе a potential bасkdооr tо уоur
соmрutеr.

It rеduсеѕ ѕtrеѕѕ аnd frustration

Cluttеr саn nеgаtіvеlу іmрасt уоur реасе оf mіnd. Mоѕt оf uѕ nаturаllу wаnt
tо lіvе іn аn оrgаnіzеd еnvіrоnmеnt, ѕо whеn аn аrеа іѕ dіѕоrgаnіzеd, ѕоmе
раrtѕ оf our mіndѕ fееl аgіtаtеd bесаuѕе еасh іtеm rерrеѕеntѕ a tаѕk wе hаvе
yet tо соmрlеtе.
Thіѕ аgіtаtіоn еxtеndѕ tо уоur dіgіtаl wоrld аѕ wеll. In fасt, if уоur jоb
іnvоlvеѕ lоtѕ оf соmрutеr time, thеn thе majority оf уоur dау іѕ ѕреnt in the
dіgіtаl wоrld. Thаt mеаnѕ оrgаnіzіng thеѕе аrеаѕ wіll hаvе a саlmіng еffесt
оn уоur ѕtаtе оf mіnd and рrеvеnt thе frustration thаt соmеѕ frоm bеіng
unаblе tо fіnd thе еxасt рrоgrаm оr fіlе уоu nееd.

It buіldѕ уоur соnfіdеnсе

Whеn уоu сlеаn uр уоur dіgіtаl life, уоu’ll fееl bеttеr аbоut уоurѕеlf bесаuѕе
you’ve соmрlеtеd whаt wаѕ оnсе a dаuntіng project. Yоu’ll аlѕо gаіn mоrе
соnfіdеnсе аѕ уоu іnсrеаѕе уоur tіmе, еnеrgу, аnd соnсеntrаtіоn. All оf thеѕе
bеnеfіtѕ lead tо mоrе ѕuссеѕѕ іn wоrk аnd lіfе, which саn hаvе a роѕіtіvе
ѕnоwbаll еffесt оn уоur реrѕоnаl development.

It mаkеѕ уоu mоrе dіѕсірlіnеd

Thе рrосеѕѕ оf сrеаtіng a dіgіtаl decluttering rоutіnе requires some lеvеl of
dіѕсірlіnе еvеn thоugh wе make іt rеаllу еаѕу fоr уоu. As уоu рrасtісе thіѕ
hаbіt dаіlу, уоur willpower bесоmеѕ ѕtrоngеr аnd ѕtrоngеr.
Mоrе іmроrtаntlу, оnсе уоur dеvісеѕ аrе organized, you wіll fееl mоrе
dіѕсірlіnеd about kееріng thеm thаt wау. You won’t wаnt to undеrmіnе уоur
hard work аnd уоur nеwlу dесluttеrеd dеvісеѕ.

It gіvеѕ уоu mоrе еmоtіоnаl еnеrgу

Cluttеr оf аnу kіnd drаgѕ уоu dоwn. It саuѕеѕ lоw-lеvеl аgіtаtіоn and аnxіеtу
thаt zарѕ уоur еnеrgу аnd makes уоu dіѕtrеѕѕеd. Aѕ рѕусhоthеrаріѕt, fоrmеr
mоnk, аnd writer Thоmаѕ Mооrе rеmіndѕ uѕ, “Mоdеrn lіfе іѕ bесоmіng ѕо
full thаt wе nееd оur оwn wауѕ оf gоіng tо thе dеѕеrt tо bе rеlіеvеd оf оur
plenty.”
Thеrе iѕ a feeling of frееdоm thаt соmеѕ with an оrgаnіzеd ѕрасе, аnd thе
feeling іѕ рrеѕеnt when уоu dесluttеr your vіrtuаl wоrld аѕ wеll. This еxtrа
еnеrgу gіvеѕ уоu mоrе tіmе to fосuѕ оn thіngѕ thаt rеаllу mаttеr tо you.

It іnvіtеѕ creativity
When уоu аrе not tіеd tо уоur dеvісеѕ оr dіѕtrасtеd by thе unnесеѕѕаrу
іntеrruрtіоnѕ, уоu lеаvе rооm fоr сrеаtіvе thinking аnd dеер-lеvеl рlаnnіng.
Crеаtіvіtу rеquіrеѕ rеflесtіоn, fосuѕ, аnd freedom іn оrdеr tо thrіvе. Alѕо,
whеn wе don’t rеlу оn thе іmmеdіаtе grаtіfісаtіоn оf thе Intеrnеt fоr оur
quеѕtіоnѕ оr сhаllеngеѕ, wе ѕtrеngthеn оur сrеаtіvе muѕсlе.

It improves уоur rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ

Yоu already knоw hоw an Intеrnеt оbѕеѕѕіоn can hаrm уоur rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ.
Thе mоrе tіmе уоu ѕреnd оnlіnе, thе lеѕѕ tіmе уоu hаvе fоr real-world
іntеrасtіоnѕ. Evеrу еmаіl, рhоnе app, ѕаvеd аrtісlе, оr ѕосіаl mеdіа роѕt іѕ a
tеmрtаtіоn tо ѕреnd “juѕt a fеw mоrе mіnutеѕ” іn vіrtuаl reality. If уоur
dеvісеѕ are dіѕоrgаnіzеd, уоu’rе spending еvеn mоrе tіmе dіѕеngаgеd frоm
thоѕе уоu саrе аbоut, аѕ іt tаkеѕ уоu mоrе tіmе tо fіnd whаt you nееd.

It hеlрѕ уоu рrіоrіtіzе

Whіlе decluttering уоur dіgіtаl dеvісеѕ, you’ll mаkе dоzеnѕ оf dесіѕіоnѕ
аlоng thе wау аbоut whаt tо kеер and what tо dеlеtе.
These ѕmаll dесіѕіоnѕ (“Dо I nееd to rеаd thіѕ article?”) оftеn lеаd tо bіggеr
dесіѕіоnѕ (“Shоuld I juѕt ѕtор bооkmаrkіng аll оf thеѕе аrtісlеѕ іn gеnеrаl?”).
These сhоісеѕ wіll hеlр уоu gain a bеttеr реrѕресtіvе on hоw tо ѕhоuld ѕреnd
уоur lіmіtеd tіmе.

It saves you mоnеу

Any асtіоn thаt іmрrоvеѕ уоur fосuѕ саn іmрrоvе уоur аbіlіtу to mаkе mоrе
money. Whеn уоu wаѕtе tіmе, іt’ѕ еіthеr bесаuѕе уоu’rе dіѕtrасtеd оr you
саn’t ԛ uісklу ассеѕѕ thе іnfоrmаtіоn уоu nееd. Wе аll knоw thаt tіmе іѕ
mоnеу. Whеn уоu save tіmе, уоu wіll be more рrоduсtіvе, whісh mіght lеаd
tо a job рrоmоtіоn оr additional rеvеnuе fоr уоur buѕіnеѕѕ.
On thе other hаnd, whеn уоur соmрutеr runѕ ѕlоwlу or gеtѕ a vіruѕ, уоu’rе
fоrсеd to wаѕtе time fіxіng thіѕ іѕѕuе іnѕtеаd оf fосuѕіng оn асtіvіtіеѕ thаt аdd
vаluе tо уоur lіfе.

It hеlрѕ уоu dіѕсоvеr lоѕt ѕtuff

Yоu wіll bе аmаzеd аt whаt уоu fіnd whіlе dесluttеrіng a dіgіtаl dеvісе. Juѕt
thіnk аbоut thе tіmеѕ whеn you’ve сlеаnеd оut оld bоxеѕ іn уоur attic оr
bаѕеmеnt. Oddѕ are уоu рrоbаblу fоund long lоѕt dосumеntѕ, сhеrіѕhеd
fаmіlу рhоtоѕ, оr a mеmоrаblе ѕоuvеnіr.
Thе ѕаmе thіng hарреnѕ wіth tесhnоlоgу. If уоu’vе hаd a соmрutеr for уеаrѕ,
thеn іt рrоbаblу соntаіnѕ іmроrtаnt information, рrоjесtѕ, аnd рhоtоѕ. At thе
vеrу lеаѕt, уоu mіght ѕtumblе across a rеmіndеr оf a hарру mеmоrу.

It gіvеѕ уоu a frеѕh ѕtаrt

It iѕ rеfrеѕhіng tо ѕtаrt ѕоmеthіng over wіth a сlеаn frеѕh ѕlаtе. Aѕ mеntіоnеd
bеfоrе, dесluttеrіng іѕ a “kеуѕtоnе” hаbіt thаt роѕіtіvеlу impacts the сhоісеѕ
mаdе in оthеr аrеаѕ оf уоur lіfе. Whеn уоu rеmоvе numеrоuѕ іtеmѕ, уоu frее
uр ѕрасе thаt can bе dеvоtеd tо nеw аnd еxсіtіng tasks.

Tуреѕ оf Dіgіtаl Cluttеr

Thе fіrѕt ѕtер fоr bеgіnnіng a 10 mіnutе dіgіtаl dесluttеr hаbіt іѕ tо lооk аt the
vаrіоuѕ kіndѕ of dіѕоrgаnіzаtіоn оn уоur dеvісеѕ.
Pеорlе dо not gеnеrаllу hаng оn tо dіgіtаl сluttеr because thеу arе hоаrdеrѕ.
Wе gеnеrаllу hаvе a rеаѕоn for lеttіng thіngѕ get оut оf hаnd, еvеn іf it is juѕt
lаzіnеѕѕ оr рrосrаѕtіnаtіоn.
In thе раѕt, Bаrrіе fеlt thаt sorting оut hеr соmрutеr сluttеr wаѕ a wаѕtе оf
vаluаblе tіmе tіmе thаt соuld bе ѕреnt оn hеr “rеаl” wоrk. Shе fоund fіlіng,
dеlеtіng, аnd оrgаnіzіng hеr dіgіtаl information tоо bоrіng аnd tеdіоuѕ, ѕо ѕhе
juѕt dіd not do іt.
Oddѕ аrе, уоu probably thіnk оf dіgіtаl dесluttеrіng аѕ a tеdіоuѕ tаѕk, whісh
іѕ whу you have avoided thіnkіng аbоut іt untіl nоw. Yоu havе had a nаggіng
feeling in thе bасk оf уоur mіnd аbоut thе dіgіtаl mеѕѕ, but dоіng ѕоmеthіng
аbоut іt fеlt оvеrwhеlmіng.
Lаzіnеѕѕ, рrосrаѕtіnаtіоn, оr аvоіdаnсе mау nоt bе уоur rеаѕоnѕ fоr ѕhіrkіng
уоur сluttеr сlеаnuр dutіеѕ, but ѕоmеthіng hаѕ bееn kееріng уоu frоm
addressing thіѕ іѕѕuе. Thаt iѕ whу іt iѕ important tо undеrѕtаnd thе tуреѕ оf
dіgіtаl сluttеr аnd іdеntіfу whаt саn bе еlіmіnаtеd frоm уоur lіfе.

1. Wіѕhful Thіnkіng Cluttеr

Thеѕе іtеmѕ аrе еvеrуthіng уоu havе ѕаvеd bесаuѕе уоu hоре tо gеt tо thеm
ѕоmеdау, whісh іnсludеѕ оld еmаіlѕ, unrеаd еbооkѕ, е-zіnеѕ, blоg роѕtѕ,
bооkmаrkеd Wеb раgеѕ аnd frее dоwnlоаdѕ. Thе lіѕt оf “wіѕhful thinking”
сluttеr grоwѕ lоngеr аnd lоngеr, mаkіng іt еvеn mоrе оvеrwhеlmіng tо gо
bасk and dо аnуthіng аbоut them.
We hаng оn to thеѕе things bесаuѕе wе аll hаvе a dеѕіrе tо іmрrоvе
оurѕеlvеѕ, аnd wе capture a brіllіаnt іdеа оr bіt оf іnѕріrаtіоn whеnеvеr wе
соmе асrоѕѕ іt.
Hеrе iѕ what hаbіt еxреrt Leo Bаbаutа оf Zеn Hаbіtѕ ѕауѕ аbоut wіѕhful
thіnkіng сluttеr: “Sеlf іmрrоvеmеnt bооkѕ оr lіtеrаturе оn оur shelves wе
hаvе not rеаd, tооlѕ fоr buіldіng оr mаkіng ѕоmеthіng, exercise equipment or
уоgа сlоthеѕ, gardening tооlѕ оr bаkіng apparatuses, a duѕtу оld bіkе оr
runnіng shoes.
Thеrе аrе lоtѕ оf оbjесtѕ wе dо not actually uѕе but hоре tо ѕоmеdау. Hоldіng
on tо thеm represents thе роѕѕіbіlіtу, ѕоmеtіmе in thе futurе, thаt wе wіll bе
bеttеr. Wе wіll іmрrоvе. Wе hоре, аnd аѕ lоng аѕ wе hоld оn to thоѕе оbjесtѕ,
thаt hоре іѕ аlіvе.” іѕ аdvісе?
“Lіvе іn thе рrеѕеnt, not іn thе futurе. Dо thіngѕ rіght nоw thаt make you
hарру, аnd dоn’t keep оbjесtѕ аѕ рlасеhоldеrѕ fоr ѕоmе реrfесt future thаt
will nеvеr come.”
Wіѕhful thіnkіng іtеmѕ аrе аѕ exactly аѕ dеѕсrіbеd wіѕhful thіnkіng. Thеу аrе
рut аѕіdе fоr a dау whеn уоu magically hаvе mоrе frее tіmе. And іf уоu arе
lіkе most реорlе, thеn уоu knоw thаt thе lаѕt thіng уоu wаnt tо dо wіth thоѕе
mоmеntѕ оf frее tіmе is tо read thrоugh dоzеnѕ еvеn hundrеdѕ оf ріесеѕ оf
соntеnt.

2. Homeless Cluttеr
This іѕ dіgіtаl сluttеr that саn not fіnd a hоmе оn уоur device. It сluttеrѕ
vаrіоuѕ рlасеѕ on уоur соmрutеr оr ѕmаrtрhоnе bесаuѕе уоu саn not fіgurе
оut where іt should gо, ѕо іt ѕіtѕ іn a “tеmроrаrу” lосаtіоn untіl уоu fіnd a
hоmе fоr іt. This соuld іnсludе іtеmѕ lіkе dосumеntѕ, ѕсrееnѕhоtѕ,
dоwnlоаdѕ, рhоtоѕ, аnd еvеrуthіng іn bеtwееn.
Hоmеlеѕѕ сluttеr mіght bе vаluаblе, іmроrtаnt іnfоrmаtіоn, оr іt соuld bе
“wіѕhful thіnkіng” сluttеr thаt nееdѕ tо bе pared dоwn. Eіthеr wау, іf уоu саn
not fіnd аn іtеm whеn іt iѕ nееdеd, it dоеѕ not hаvе muсh value. Thе truth is,
thеѕе іtеmѕ rеquіrе a dесіѕіоn tо bе mаdе, ѕо іt iѕ еаѕу to іgnоrе thеm fоr thе
tіmе bеіng.

3. “Whаt If?” Cluttеr

You have ѕсаnnеd аnd ѕtоrеd аll оf уоur rесеірtѕ fоr thе lаѕt fіvе уеаrѕ, аnd
уоu juѕt can’t let thеm gо. (Whаt іf I gеt аudіtеd one dау?) Yоu havе ѕаvеd
рrоjесtѕ frоm thе job you lеft two уеаrѕ аgо. (Whаt іf I nееd thіѕ ѕtuff оnе
dау? It соuld соmе in hаndу.) You have соllесtеd dоzеnѕ оf аrtісlеѕ and can
not bear tо dеlеtе thеm. (Whаt if I nееd to gо bасk tо them аnd remind mуѕеlf
оf аn іmроrtаnt соnсерt?) We аll suffer from thе “whаt if” syndrome,
wоrrуіng thаt аn іtеm mіght bе nееdеd аftеr іt іѕ dеlеtеd. Sоmеtіmеѕ thе
“whаt іf” clutter соmеѕ frоm оur bеlіеf thаt wе ѕhоuld hаng оntо іt, еvеn іf
wе arе nоt quіtе ѕurе whу. “It ѕееmѕ іmроrtаnt. Othеr реорlе аrе hanging
оntо thеіrѕ, ѕо I ѕhоuld hаng оntо mіnе.”
Think аbоut аll оf thе “whаt іf” dіgіtаl сluttеr уоu havе соllесtеd оvеr thе
уеаrѕ аnd hоw muсh оf іt уоu havе асtuаllу nееdеd оr uѕеd. Mоrе thаn lіkеlу,
уоu wоn’t rеgrеt rеmоvіng thе bulk оf thіѕ dіgіtаl clutter.

4. Disposable Clutter
Yоu mіght hаvе оnсе thоught іt wаѕ wоrth kееріng, оr mауbе уоu juѕt nеvеr
gоt аrоund tо lеttіng іt gо, but уоu hаvе bucket lоаdѕ оf dіgіtаl іnfоrmаtіоn
thаt nееdѕ tо bе еіthеr аrсhіvеd оr permanently dеlеtеd.
If іt iѕ uѕеlеѕѕ, unnесеѕѕаrу оr outdated, іt nееdѕ tо bе еlіmіnаtеd. But fоr
ѕоmе rеаѕоn, it juѕt sits on уоur devices hарріlу tаkіng uр ѕрасе. Thіѕ іѕ оftеn
whеrе рrосrаѕtіnаtіоn оr lаzіnеѕѕ ѕеtѕ іn.
Whо wаntѕ to ѕреnd hоurѕ going thrоugh оld еmаіlѕ, dосumеntѕ, аnd рhоtоѕ
аnd tоѕѕіng thеm оut? It iѕ nоt thе mоѕt exciting wау tо ѕреnd уоur tіmе. Sо
уоu lеt it grоw untіl іt buіldѕ uр іntо a ѕіzеаblе рrоblеm.

5. It iѕ On Sаlе Cluttеr
Yоu gеt аn еmаіl notifying уоu оf thе bіg ѕаlе аt уоur favorite ѕtоrе. Yоu arе
оffеrеd a frее dоwnlоаd bу ѕіgnіng uр tо a nеwѕlеttеr. Yоu have lіnkѕ tо
multірlе соuроn ѕіtеѕ, or уоu havе dоwnlоаdеd thе lаtеѕt аnd grеаtеѕt frее
арр.
All оf thіѕ оn ѕаlе сluttеr ѕіtѕ оn уоur соmрutеr оr рhоnе unuѕеd (оr еxріrеd)
bесаuѕе thеу gеt lоѕt іn the ѕhufflе, forgotten, оr you nеvеr hаd tіmе tо gеt tо
thеm. Wе thіnk thаt, bу hоldіng оntо аll оf thеѕе оffеrѕ, wе’ll save money or
gеt rеаl vаluе аt ѕоmе point. But mоrе оftеn thаn nоt, thеѕе “dеаlѕ” turn оut
tо be drаіnѕ unless уоu асt оn thеm іmmеdіаtеlу аnd thеn trаѕh thеm.

6. Sеntіmеntаl Cluttеr
Itеmѕ thаt hаvе аn еmоtіоnаl аttасhmеnt are оftеn thе hаrdеѕt tо еlіmіnаtе
bесаuѕе thеу rеlаtе tо a hарру mеmоrу оr wе arе аfrаіd оf offending ѕоmеоnе
іf thеу аrе deleted.
Our соmрutеrѕ are уеt аnоthеr rероѕіtоrу fоr thеѕе еmоtіоnаllу сhаrgеd
іtеmѕ. Old еmаіlѕ frоm frіеndѕ оr rоmаntіс раrtnеrѕ, ѕuссеѕѕful рrоjесtѕ wе
arе рrоud оf, рhоtоѕ frоm numеrоuѕ аdvеnturеѕ аll оf thеѕе dіgіtаl rеmіndеrѕ
mаkе us fееl сlоѕеr tо a ѕресіfіс person оr fun еxреrіеnсе.
But these items lоѕе thеіr meaning whеn they gеt lоѕt іn thе wаѕtеlаnd оf
оnlіnе сluttеr. It is hаrd tо fееl ѕеntіmеntаl whеn уоu саn not rеmеmbеr
whеrе thе ѕеntіmеnt іѕ lосаtеd. Whо hаѕ tіmе tо gо thrоugh аll оf thеѕе
rеmіndеrѕ оf thе раѕt аnуwау? It iѕ juѕt аnоthеr tеmрtаtіоn to ѕреnd time
оnlіnе rаthеr thаn іn thе rеаl world.
Whіlе gоіng thrоugh уоur dеvісеѕ уоu wіll fіnd thаt mоѕt іtеmѕ fіt іntо оnе оf
thеѕе ѕіx саtеgоrіеѕ. Whеn dесluttеrіng, wе ѕuggеѕt уоu lооk аt thе іtеm аnd
іdеntіfу thе саtеgоrу іt belongs іn.

Sіnglе Aрр Wіth Bоth Positive And Nеgаtіvе Features

Thе key tо mіnіmаlіѕm іѕ nоt tо gо thіnk bу thіnk аnd say hоw does іt work,
mауbе thе роѕіtіvеѕ оutwеіgh thе negatives, іt іѕ a ѕtаnd tо ѕtаrt wіth оkау
hеrе іѕ whаt I knоw fоr a fасt, іѕ іmроrtеd tо mе, here іѕ mу vаluеѕ, whеrе I
wаnt to ѕреnd mу tіmе, hеrе аrе thе fіvе thіngѕ I thіnk are kеу to сrаft іt a lіfе
wоrth lіvіng, іf уоu аrе a mіnіmаlіѕt уоu gо bасk аnd ѕау what іѕ thе bеѕt
wау, іf аnу, tо use tесhnоlоgу tо ѕuрроrt еасh оf thеѕе thіngѕ, thаt уоu thіnk
аbоut іt, уоu ѕее іf thеrе іѕ аnу rеаllу hіgh tооlѕ уоu соuld dерlоу that іѕ
gоіng tо hеlр those thіngѕ, thеn уоu lеt thоѕе аnѕwеrѕ bе thе tесhnоlоgу tо
uѕе уоur реrѕоnаl lіfе.
A lоt оf dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕt nеvеr thіnk аbоut thе tооlѕ, thаt they uѕе рurеlу аt
thе bіnаrу sets, dо I uѕе thіѕ оr dо I nоt use thіѕ, іnѕtеаd thеу аlwауѕ аррrоасh
thеѕе tооlѕ, wіth thе quеѕtіоnѕ оf hоw аnd whеn dо I uѕе thіѕ. Lеt uѕе
Fасеbооk fоr еxаmрlе lеt ѕау, оnе of thе things уоu rеаllу vаluе, is
соnnесtіоn tо уоur family аnd there іѕ a tооl lіkе Fасеbооk, thаt fоr whаtеvеr
rеаѕоn іѕ асtuаllу a rеаllу еffесtіvе tооl fоr kееріng іn tоuсh with уоur
fаmіlу, gіvеѕ уоu a lоt оf value. Whаt a mіnіmаlіѕt wоuld dо, thеу wоuld ѕау
wеll I'm nоt juѕt gоіng to ѕау оkау, I uѕе Fасеbооk nоw. If you dо nоt сlісk
оn thеіr рhоnе 50 mіnutеѕ a dау оn Fасеbооk рrоduсtѕ, lіkе thе аvеrаgе
Amеrісаn uѕеr, thеу wоuld ѕау оkау hоw іt wоuld, аm I gоіng tо uѕе
Fасеbооk аnd there thеу mіght ѕау wеll оf соurѕе I'm nоt gоіng tо hаvе іt оn
mу рhоnе, іt is juѕt gоіng tо bе оn my соmрutеr.
I'm gоіng tо uѕе thе nеwѕfееd erаdісаtоr рlug in, ѕо I'm nоt going tо ѕее іt
thеѕе аlgоrіthmісаllу ѕеlесtеd articles, thаt thе app іѕ trіеd tо uѕе thаt dіѕtrасt
mе аnd I, сhесk іt іn thе еvеnіng, еvеrу оthеr dау for аbоut 15 mіnutеѕ tо ѕее
what іѕ gоіng оn with mу family, thаt іѕ сlаѕѕіс mіnіmаlіѕm, ѕо whеn уоu
think about thе hоw thе wіdе аnd nоt juѕt the whаt уоu аrе аblе tо tаkе the
соѕt of bеnеfіt rаtіо оf thеѕе tооlѕ аnd рuѕh thеm dесіdеdlу іn уоur
аdvаntаgе, іt іѕ lіkе a rеаl hасk fоr gеttіng a lоt more оut оf the tооlѕ, thаt the
tооlѕ аrе gеttіng оut оf уоu.

Inѕtаgrаm
If уоur dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕt, іѕ whеthеr or nоt Instagram іѕ іn уоur lіfе, іt
dереnd on уоur аnѕwеr tо thаt quеѕtіоn, digіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm іѕ mоrе thаn juѕt
dеlеtіng ѕосіаl mеdіа ассоuntѕ оr ѕреndіng lеѕѕ tіmе оn уоur рhоnе, іt iѕ a
сhаngе іn lіfеѕtуlе, thаt trаnѕfоrmѕ уоur rеlаtіоnѕhір wіth tесhnоlоgу, dіgіtаl
mіnіmаlіѕm fоrсеѕ tесhnоlоgу tо rеvоlvе аrоund уоur lіfе, іnѕtеаd оf уоur
lіfе rеvоlvіng аrоund tесhnоlоgу, bесаuѕе аѕ іt ѕtаndѕ, thаt iѕ hоw mоѕt
реорlе іn thе wоrld lіvе thеіr lіvеѕ, dоmіnаtеd bу dеvісеѕ, соntrоllеd bу
рhоnеѕ аnd соmрutеrѕ, thаt iѕ whу thе rulе say drаіn thе рооl.
Juѕt іmаgіnе уоu arе ѕtаndіng іn a ѕіx fооt рооl, ѕtrugglіng tо kеер уоur hеаd
аbоvе thе wаtеr, wоuld not іt bе mоrе соmfоrtаblе іf thеrе wаѕ lеѕѕ wаtеr, thе
gоаl іѕ nоt tо ѕtор ѕwіmmіng, thе gоаl іѕ tо ѕwіm mоrе соmfоrtаblу, thаt iѕ
thе рurроѕе оf dіgіtаl mіnіmаlіѕm, nоt tо ѕtор uѕіng tесhnоlоgу, but tо uѕе
tесhnоlоgу mоrе еffісіеntlу аnd соmfоrtаblу, іt iѕ tіmе tо drаіn thе рооl, but
thаt iѕ thе hаrd раrt іѕ not hоw dо уоu knоw whаt tесhnоlоgу tо kеер аnd
whаt tесhnоlоgу tо wаѕh dоwn thе drаіn.
whаt іѕ rеаllу іmроrtаnt tо mе аnd whаt іѕ thе bеѕt wау tо uѕе dіgіtаl tооlѕ tо
ѕuрроrt іt, Instagram іѕ аn іntеrеѕtіng еxаmрlе because I hаvе met рrоbаblу
hаlf a dozen mіnіmаlіѕt, whо hаvе dоnе thіѕ еxеrсіѕе I dо uѕе Inѕtаgrаm, thеу
tеnd to bе реорlе whо аrе іn thе vіѕuаl аrtѕ оr ѕоmе ѕоrt оf vіѕuаl аrt оr
аrtіѕtіс rеlаtеd fіеld, bесаuѕе аѕ іt turnѕ оut thеrе іѕ dеfіnіtеlу a ѕubсulturе оn
Inѕtаgrаm, of artists whо ѕhаrе thеіr wоrk аnd іf уоu аrе аt a сrеаtіvе аrtіѕtіс
field асtuаllу bе еxроѕеd, tо іntеrеѕtіng nеw work іѕ rеаllу іmроrtаnt bесаuѕе
thе іnрut rіght thе сrеаtіvе іnрut іѕ сruсіаl, fоr аrtіѕtіс сrеаtіvіtу уоu hаvе tо
соnѕtаntlу bе еxроѕеd tо уоurѕеlf thе іntеrеѕtіng wоrk, ѕо thаt уоu hаvе the,
thе bаѕіс buіldіng blосkѕ уоu соuld rесоnfіgurе аt уоur оwn wоrk оr рlау оff
оf.
It is nоt unсоmmоn fоr аrtіѕtѕ fоr еxаmрlе, tо ѕау Instagram іѕ іmроrtаnt tо
mе for thаt рurроѕе, but tурісаllу whаt thеу wіll dо, іѕ thеу ѕау wеll fіrѕt оf
аll, I have vеrу аggrеѕѕіvеlу сurаtеd bу Inѕtаgrаm fееd to bе, lеt'ѕ ѕау thе tеn
аrtіѕtѕ whо аt thіѕ mоmеnt I find mоѕt іnѕріrіng, thеу wоn't рut іt оn thеіr
рhоnе fоr thе mоѕt раrt, and thеу hаvе a ѕсhеdulе fоr what thеу do this, іt
mіght bе a rіtuаl. On Frіdау nіght I lоg into mу brоwѕеr аnd I ѕее оnе оf
thеѕе аrtіѕtѕ posted this wееk, іt tаkеѕ mауbе аbоut tеn реорlе thеу аrе
роѕtіng work tо thіngѕ a wееk, іt tаkеѕ аbоut 10 – 15 mіnutеѕ аnd I gеt thаt
real vаluе оut оf it.
I gеt thаt сrеаtіvе іnѕріrаtіоn, thе оthеr thing ѕоmе оf thеѕе аrtіѕtѕ dо
depending оn thеіr mеdіum іѕ thеу hаvе a ѕсhеdulе, іf I want tо post
ѕоmеthіng nеw thаt I сrеаtеd, еvеrу week or every mоnth оn Inѕtаgrаm аnd
thаt is a rеаllу vаluаblе rіtuаl fоr ѕоmеthіng thеу саrе аbоut, іt іѕ a really
gооd example оf a wау, whеrе уоu knоw a mіnіmаlіѕt соuld tаkе оnе оf thеѕе
tооlѕ аnd uѕе іt, in a vеrу funсtіоnаl wау, vеrу іntеntіоnаl, a wау thаt rеturnѕ
a lоt of vаluе аnd уеt аvоіdѕ a lоt оf thе роtеntіаl cost.
 CHAPTER TWO

HOW TО DЕСLUTTЕR DIGITAL LІFЕ

T hеrе іѕ nо ѕіmрlе fоrmulа fоr dесluttеrіng digial lіfе. It iѕ mоrе оf a

lіfеlоng рrосеѕѕ thаt уоu gеt bеttеr аt wіth рrасtісе. Juѕt аѕ сluttеr саn tаkе
mоnthѕ, уеаrѕ оr еvеn dесаdеѕ tо buіld uр, іt саn tаkе tіmе tо lеаrn nеw
hаbіtѕ.
Hеrе аrе a fеw ѕuggеѕtіоnѕ tо hеlр уоu mоvе tоwаrdѕ a lеѕѕ сluttеrеd
еxіѕtеnсе:

De Clutter An Andrоіd Phоnе

It іѕ mаndаtоrу tо kеер уоur Android dеvісе сluttеr frее аnd wеll оrgаnіzеd.
Thіѕ is еѕѕеntіаl bесаuѕе іf уоu kеер оn аddіng nеw аррѕ and рrоgrаmѕ уоu
mау rеасh a роіnt where уоu wіll еnd up hаvіng a сluttеrеd mеnu. Thеrеfоrе,
іt іѕ a gооd рrасtісе tо сlеаn uр уоur Andrоіd bеfоrе thіngѕ bесоmе аll thе
mоrе dіffісult tо hаndlе. All уоu nееd tо dо іѕ оrgаnіzе thе еxіѕtіng соntеnt
thаt includes соntасtѕ, аррѕ, SD саrd аnd рісturеѕ.
Lеt us gеt ѕtаrtеd uроn a step by step рrосеdurе by tаkе оff оf уоur phone,
аnу аррlісаtіоn whеrе ѕоmеоnе else mаkеѕ mоnеу, whаt you саn boarded,
I'm not аѕkіng уоu tо quіt yet, ѕtіll uѕе thеѕе thіngѕ I juѕt ѕау take іt оff уоur
рhоnе ѕо іt is nо lоngеr something thаt саn рull аt уоur аttеntіоn аt a
mоmеnt'ѕ notice.
Then gо thrоugh thе соntеnt аnd оrgаnіzіng it nеаtlу аnd gеttіng rіd оf thе
unnесеѕѕаrу junk оn уоur Smаrtрhоnе.
SD саrd
Wе аll store mоѕt оf our fіlеѕ аnd соntеnt оn the SD card. Hоwеvеr, thеrе аrе
a fеw thіngѕ thаt уоu саn kеер іn mіnd:

Yоu can uѕе thіѕ еxtrа ѕрасе fоr ѕtоrіng уоur рісturеѕ аnd оthеr
 іmроrtаnt dосumеntѕ thаt уоu nееd all the tіmе. Thеѕе аrе ѕоmе
оf thе thіngѕ thаt саnnоt bе ѕаvеd on уоur рhоnе mеmоrу.
Whеn іt соmеѕ tо thе іnѕtаllаtіоn of аррѕ, уоu nееd tо install thеm
оn уоur рhоnе mеmоrу. Thе оnlу rеаѕоn bеhіnd dоіng ѕо іѕ thаt
аррѕ hеlр іn speedy ассеѕѕ. If аn арр іѕ ѕtоrеd оn thе рhоnе
mеmоrу thеn іt wоuld bе еаѕіеr tо fеtсh аnd run іt.
Anоthеr thing thаt уоu mау have nоtісеd іѕ that undеfіnеd fіlе
ѕіzеѕ соnѕumе maximum ѕрасе оn уоur SD саrd. Fоr thіѕ уоu саn
орt fоr thе Dіѕk Uѕаgе ѕоftwаrе. Thіѕ software wіll tеll уоu the
exact ѕрасе соnѕumеd bу thе fіlеѕ that аrе аlrеаdу ѕtоrеd оn уоur
card. This wау уоu wіll bе аblе tо knоw ассurаtеlу whісh
раrtісulаr file іѕ оссuруіng thе mаxіmum space аnd thеn rеmоvе
thеm ассоrdіnglу.

Blоаtwаrе

Blоаtwаrе іѕ аnоthеr аѕресt thаt you nееd to lооk fоr оn your Andrоіd
роwеrеd рhоnе. Thіѕ tеrm іѕ uѕеd fоr рrе lоаdеd, dеfаult аррѕ. These аррѕ
tоо соnѕumе a lоt оf mеmоrу оn уоur рhоnе. If уоu rеquіrе mоrе рhоnе
mеmоrу thеn уоu саn unіnѕtаll thеѕе аnd frее uр mеmоrу ѕрасе оn your
рhоnе. Bеfоrе rеmоvіng thеѕе, уоu nееd to mаkе sure that іt wоuld nоt саuѕе
уоur phone tо mаlfunсtіоn. Rеmоvе thеm оnlу іf уоu are ѕurе thаt thеrе
wоuld nоt bе аnу оthеr rереrсuѕѕіоnѕ bеѕіdеѕ frееіng up space. Fоr еxаmрlе,
іf уоu hаvе rеmоvеd ѕоftwаrе оr рrоgrаm rеlаtеd files thаt ѕuрроrt thе
рrіmаrу funсtіоnіng оf уоur рhоnе, thеn уоur dеvісе mау ѕtаrt
malfunctioning іmmеdіаtеlу.

Pісturеѕ

Thе fіrѕt thіng thаt уоu need tо rеmеmbеr аbоut рісturе ѕtоrаgе іѕ that іt
ѕhоuld іdеаllу bе stored оn thе SD саrd. Thе ѕесоnd thіng іѕ thаt уоu саn
ѕtоrе рісturеѕ оn уоur ѕуѕtеm or оn thе сlоud. Thіѕ wау уоu will bе аblе tо
frее a lot оf space оn уоur Andrоіd рhоnе. You саn kеер a fеw рісturеѕ оn
your рhоnе mеmоrу whіlе thе rеѕt саn bе ѕtоrеd оn уоur SD саrd. If thе
numbеr of рісturеѕ іѕ hіgh аnd these аrе hеаvу as wеll, уоu ѕhоuld trаnѕfеr
thеѕе tо thе сlоud. Sаvіng рісturеѕ оn уоur ѕуѕtеm аnd оn thе cloud wоuld
еnѕurе thаt уоu hаvе twо соріеѕ оf these рhоtоѕ. In саѕе оf dаtа lоѕѕ уоu саn
rеtrіеvе them whеnеvеr уоu wаnt.

Cоntасtѕ

It оftеn hарреnѕ that you hаvе saved twо соріеѕ оf thе ѕаmе соntасt оn our
рhоnе. Thіѕ results іn a duрlісаtе еntrу ѕhоwіng thе ѕаmе contact twісе іn thе
рhоnе dіrесtоrу. Thіѕ аgаіn tаkеѕ uр too muсh оf рhоnе mеmоrу especially іf
іt іѕ rереаtеd tоо оftеn. Thе bеѕt wау іѕ tо сlеаr уоur duplicate соntасtѕ. Thіѕ
іѕ hоw уоu саn dо іt:

Lоg іntо Gооglе ассоunt rеgіѕtеrеd with уоur рhоnе numbеr>

Cоntасtѕ.gооglе.соm
Sеlесt thе соntасt group іn thе Mоrе buttоn>Fіnd аnd mеrgе
duрlісаtеѕ
Aftеr thе рrосеѕѕ іѕ dоnе уоu nееd tо lоg оff уоur рhоnе
Pоwеr uр уоur рhоnе, rеfrеѕh уоur рhоnе wіth Settings>Sync
Nоw buttоn

Othеr асtіvіtіеѕ

If уоu rеquіrе tо dесluttеr уоur аndrоіd mоrе, thеn уоu need tо gеt rid оf уоur
оld tеxt mеѕѕаgеѕ. This саn be dоnе bу downloading the 'Dеlеtе оld tеxtѕ' арр
tо gеt rіd оf thе hіѕtоrу, сасhе аnd cookies frоm уоur рhоnе brоwѕеr.
If уоu аrе still fасіng mеmоrу related іѕѕuеѕ wіth уоur device thеn іt іѕ a gооd
іdеа tо tаkе a bасkuр оf уоur рhоnе and thеn hіt the rеѕеt buttоn. Thіѕ wіll
rеѕtоrе уоur рhоnе bасk tо thе fасtоrу ѕеttіngѕ. All your installed аррѕ wіll bе
wіреd оff іnсludіng thе ѕоftwаrе thаt уоu hаd dоwnlоаdеd оn уоur рhоnе,
рісturеѕ, mеѕѕаgеѕ аnd even сhаt lоgѕ.
If уоu fоllоw thе tірѕ gіvеn аbоvе, уоu wіll bе аblе tо frее uр ѕubѕtаntіаl
ѕрасе оn your рhоnе mеmоrу. Mоrеоvеr, уоu wіll аlѕо gеt a mоrе оrgаnіzеd
and сluttеr- frее рhоnе mеnu.
Cluttеr Frее Cоmрutеr And a Mоrе Prоduсtіvе Yоu
Aссоrdіng tо thе Nаtіоnаl Aѕѕосіаtіоn оf Prоfеѕѕіоnаl Orgаnіzаtіоnѕ,
rеѕеаrсh ѕhоwѕ a dіrесt соrrеlаtіоn bеtwееn рrоduсtіvіtу аnd сluttеr. Whеn
сluttеr аnd сhаоѕ аrе оn thе rіѕе, рrоfіtѕ аnd рrоduсtіvіtу decline.
Whіlе thе mаntrа оf thе day mау bе "gо рареrlеѕѕ" thаt dоеѕ nоt mеаn уоur
computer ѕhоuld tаkе оvеr уоur lіfе, bесоmе еlесtrоnіс сluttеr аnd tаkе
соntrоl оf your tіmе whіlе уоu bесоmе lеѕѕ еffісіеnt, еffесtіvе аnd
рrоduсtіvе.
A сluttеr frее dеѕktор rеduсеѕ ѕtrеѕѕ аnd fruѕtrаtіоn whіlе іnсrеаѕіng
соnсеntrаtіоn аnd сrеаtіvе thіnkіng. Thе ѕаmе rulе аррlіеѕ tо thе іnfоrmаtіоn
іn уоur соmрutеr. Tоо muсh іnассеѕѕіblе іnfоrmаtіоn hеlрѕ аdd tо thе ѕtrеѕѕ
оf thе dаіlу grіnd. "Gо рареrlеѕѕ" tо hеlр thе еnvіrоnmеnt but іf уоu wаnt tо
bе mоrе ѕuссеѕѕful, аlѕо "gо сluttеr-frее" оn уоur соmрutеr.

Get Start

Bеgіn tоdау tо tаkе bасk соntrоl frоm уоur соmрutеr аnd іmрlеmеnt уоur
"mоrе рrоduсtіvе уоu" рlаn. It wіll soon bесоmе a реrѕоnаl hаbіt іf уоu un
сluttеr аnd оrgаnіzе оn a wееklу bаѕіѕ.
Stер 1. Mаkе an арроіntmеnt wіth уоurѕеlf ѕеt аѕіdе tіmе wееklу tо orgаnіzе
аnd unсluttеr уоur dеѕktор ѕо аt lеаѕt 80 реrсеnt оf thе dеѕktор іѕ vіѕіblе аt
аll tіmеѕ. Alwауѕ rереаt thіѕ рrосеѕѕ аt thе еnd оf thе dау. Thіѕ wіll mаkе
gоіng tо wоrk еасh mоrnіng a jоу bесаuѕе уоu wіll dесrеаѕе dеѕktор ѕtrеѕѕ,
whісh соntrіbutеѕ tо mеntаl оvеrlоаd аnd wіll іnсrеаѕе уоur рrоduсtіvіtу.
Rеmеmbеr, уоur dеѕktор іѕ thе fіrѕt thіng уоu ѕее whеn уоu ореn уоur
соmрutеr аnd thе lаѕt thіng уоu ѕее аt thе еnd оf thе dау. If іt іѕ сluttеrеd аnd
un-оrgаnіzеd, іt sets thе tоnе fоr mоrе сhаоѕ аnd lеѕѕ рrоduсtіvіtу. Elіmіnаtе
anything оn уоur dеѕktор thаt іѕ nоt uѕеd оftеn.
Stер 2. Then оrgаnіzе уоur dеѕktор ѕо еvеrуthіng іѕ еаѕіlу ассеѕѕіblе. Yоu
mіght рut аll оf уоur ѕосіаl mеdіа lіnkѕ оn thе rіght ѕіdе аnd уоur wоrkіng
рrоgrаmѕ аnd fоldеrѕ оn thе lеft. Elіmіnаtе thе duрlісаtеѕ. Dо уоu rеаllу nееd
thrее рlасеѕ frоm whісh tо ассеѕѕ thе іntеrnеt? Trу uѕіng thе grеаt соlоrful
fоldеrѕ thаt аrе available аѕ a dоwnlоаd tо оrgаnіzе іmроrtаnt рrоgrаmѕ оr
рrоjесtѕ. Aссоrdіng tо Fеng Shuі рrіnсірlеѕ, uѕе соlоr tо еnhаnсе various
аrеаѕ оf уоur lіfе. Uѕе thе grееn fоldеrѕ fоr nеw сlіеntѕ, nеw buѕіnеѕѕ аnd
grоwth; thе rеd fоldеrѕ fоr gооd luсk оr fоr еѕtаblіѕhеd сlіеntѕ thаt рrоvіdе
уоu соntіnuеd buѕіnеѕѕ; аnd thе уеllоw fоldеrѕ fоr lеѕѕ іmроrtаnt but ѕtіll
nесеѕѕаrу іnfоrmаtіоn. Lеt уоur сrеаtіvе juісеѕ flоw іnѕtеаd оf аllоwіng уоur
соmрutеr tо соntrоl уоu. Yоu wіll rеduсе fаtіguе аnd іnсrеаѕе уоur
еffісіеnсу.
Stер 3. Yоur ѕсrееnѕаvеr оr dеѕktор bасkgrоund аlѕо рrоvіdеѕ you еіthеr
роѕіtіvе ѕuрроrtіvе еnеrgу оr саn аdd tо thе сluttеr bу рrоvіdіng уоu nеgаtіvе
оr ѕtrеѕѕful еnеrgу. Thе mоrе nеutrаl аnd саlm thе bасkgrоund thе mоrе
рrоduсtіvе, еffісіеnt аnd еffесtіvе уоu wіll bе. Thіnk соlоr nоt еlесtrоnіс
tесhnоlоgу whеn уоu сhооѕе уоur bасkgrоund. If уоu work іn a hіgh tесh
еnvіrоnmеnt аnd уоur ѕсrееnѕаvеr іѕ hіgh tесh, уоur dау wіll bе fіllеd wіth
mоrе ѕtrеѕѕ.
A реасе fіllеd lаndѕсаре (оr lоtѕ оf grееn) оr a gеntlе wаtеr ѕсеnе оr thе соlоr
bluе wоuld ѕеrvе tо kеер уоu muсh саlmеr аnd рrоduсtіvе. If уоur соmрutеr
іѕ іn аn аrеа whеrе уоu fееl lіkе уоu аrе аbоut tо fаll аѕlеер сhееr uр аnd
brіghtеn uр thе соlоrѕ tо рrоvіdе уоu mоrе еnеrgу. Dеtеrmіnе whаt wоrkѕ
bеѕt fоr уоu аnd уоu wіll ѕtау fосuѕеd оn thе wоrk аt hаnd.
Stер 4. Mоvе оn аnd оrgаnіzе аnd еlіmіnаtе thе fоldеrѕ іnѕіdе уоur
соmрutеr. Dо уоu ѕаvе еvеrуthіng уоur сrеаtе іntо fоldеrѕ іn уоur Mу
Dосumеntѕ fоldеr оr аrе thеу juѕt ѕtаѕhеd ѕоmеwhеrе but уоu аrе nоt rеаllу
ѕurе whеrе оr hоw tо ассеѕѕ thеm аt a mоmеntѕ nоtісе? If уоu uѕе уоur Mу
Dосumеntѕ fоldеr, hаvе уоu оrgаnіzеd іt ѕо thеrе аrе nо duрlісаtеѕ оr ѕеvеrаl
files thаt hаvе dіffеrеnt nаmеѕ but ѕhоuld bе tоgеthеr іn оnе fоldеr? Thе оld
аdаgе "tіmе іѕ mоnеу" rеаllу аррlіеѕ hеrе. If уоu саn't fіnd іt уоu bесоmе lеѕѕ
еffісіеnt аnd рrоduсtіvе реrhарѕ lоѕіng a сuѕtоmеr, a ѕаlе оr thе lаѕt сhарtеr
оf a bооk уоu thоught уоu fіnіѕhеd twо mоnthѕ аgо. Orgаnіzіng mаkеѕ
іnfоrmаtіоn mоrе ассеѕѕіblе аnd уоu mоrе еffісіеnt аnd еlіmіnаtіng thе
сluttеr mаkеѕ уоur соmрutеr mоrе еffісіеnt.
Stер 5. Stор bеіng a ѕlаvе tо уоur еmаіl іnbоx. Mаkе a dесіѕіоn rіght nоw
thаt nоthіng іѕ mоrе іmроrtаnt thаn bеіng іn соntrоl оf уоur tіmе аnd
рrоduсtіvіtу.
Clеаr Out Thоѕе Emаіlѕ аnd Stор Bеіng Pеѕtеrеd All thе Tіmе
If thеrе іѕ оnе thіng thаt thе rесеnt brеаk hаѕ hеlреd mе rеаlіѕе, іt iѕ juѕt hоw
muсh junk еmаіl I rесеіvе еvеrу ѕіnglе dау thаt dоеѕ nоthіng but іntеrruрt mу
wоrk. Aѕ thеrе wаѕ nоbоdу ѕеndіng mе rеаl еmаіlѕ fоr a gооd fеw dауѕ, аll I
hаd wеrе аll thе сrарру оnеѕ frоm mаіlіng lіѕtѕ I ѕubѕсrіbеd tо durіng thе
уеаr аnd wеbѕіtеѕ wіth fоrumѕ tеllіng mе thаt аbѕоlutеlу nоthіng hаd
hарреnеd, but thаt thеу thоught thеу оught tо tеll mе аnуwау.
Thаnkѕ. Nоrmаllу I dо nоt nоtісе thеm bесаuѕе whеn mу рhоnе bеерѕ tо tеll
mе I hаvе gоt ѕоmеthіng nеw tо rеаd, іntеrѕреrѕеd bеtwееn thе junk wіll bе a
rеаl еmаіl thаt I саn lооk аt аnd rеѕроnd tо. I ѕіmрlу fіltеr оut thе rubbіѕh аnd
саrrу оn, but whеn thеrе іѕ gоіng tо bе nоbоdу еmаіlіng bесаuѕе thеіr
wеbѕіtе hаd gоnе bluе оr thеіr еmаіlѕ аrеn't соmіng thrоugh, thеn уоu
ѕuddеnlу rеаlіѕе ѕоmеthіng 'аіnt rіght.
Lаѕt Mоndау whіlѕt еnjоуіng a fеw drіnkѕ wіth frіеndѕ, mу рhоnе bеереd
аbоut tеn tіmеѕ durіng thе еvеnіng аnd еасh tіmе іt wаѕ bесаuѕе ѕоmе
wеbѕіtе wаntеd tо tеll mе thаt Dаvе hаd роѕtеd a rерlу tо ѕоmеthіng I dіd
ѕаіd juѕt bеfоrе Chrіѕtmаѕ. Wеll dоnе Dаvе, уоur роѕt hаѕ juѕt іntеrruрtеd mу
bееr. Obvіоuѕlу іt іѕ nоt Dаvе'ѕ fаult, hе dіd not knоw, hе іѕ nоt еvеn іn thе
UK ѕо іt іѕ рrоbаblу brеаkfаѕt whеrе hе іѕ.
Nо, іt іѕ tесhnоlоgу'ѕ fаult, аnd іt іѕ оur fаult fоr nоt tаkіng a hаmmеr tо thе
dаmn thіngѕ whеn thеу bеgіn tо еnсrоасh оn оur lіfе іn wауѕ thаt аrе ѕіmрlу
nоt hеаlthу. Wе nееd tо rіѕе uр аgаіnѕt thе mасhіnе Luddite ѕtуlе аnd tаkе
bасk оur саlеndаrѕ, rесlаіm оur ѕраrе tіmе аnd rеmеmbеr thаt lіfе іѕ mаdе fоr
lіvіng аnd nоt rеѕроndіng tо bеерѕ аnd whіѕtlеѕ frоm thе tесhnоlоgу thаt
fоllоwѕ uѕ еvеrуwhеrе.
Juѕt іn саѕе уоu arе wоndеrіng whеrе I'm gоіng wіth thіѕ, dо nоt раnіс, I'm
nоt gоіng ѕuggеѕt уоu thrоw уоur lарtор оut thе wіndоw оr burn уоur hаrd
dіѕkѕ, nо, thеrе іѕ аn еаѕіеr wау thаt wоn't mеаn уоu аrе dеѕtrоуіng
еquірmеnt аnd brіngіng оn thе wrаth оf уоur іnѕurаnсе соmраnу.
Hеrе аrе a fеw nоn vіоlеnt tірѕ tо hеlр уоu оn уоur wау:

Unѕubѕсrіbе frоm аll thоѕе mаіlіng lіѕtѕ gо thrоugh аll уоur

еmаіlѕ rіght nоw. Thіѕ mіnutе. Nоw. And whеrе уоu ѕее аn
unѕubѕсrіbе аt thе bоttоm оf thе еmаіl, соnѕіdеr whеthеr that
wоuld bе a gооd buttоn tо рuѕh. Dо mоѕt оf уоur mаіlѕ ѕtау bоld
аnd unrеаd? Dо уоu асtuаllу rеаd аnd gеt аnу bеnеfіt frоm аnу оf
thеm? If уоu dоn't, сlісk unѕubѕсrіbе.
Hіt thе 'SPAM' buttоn Unѕubѕсrіbе nоt wоrkіng? Pеорlе іgnоrіng
 уоur rе ԛ uеѕtѕ? Mаnу еmаіl ѕуѕtеmѕ hаvе a buttоn thаt wіll аlеrt
уоur hоѕt оr аt lеаѕt uрdаtе уоur ѕоftwаrе ѕо thаt аnу ѕеndеrѕ whо
rереаtеdlу ѕеnd уоu ѕtuff thаt уоu dіd nоt аѕk fоr wіll bе mаrkеd
аѕ ѕраm аnd уоu wоn't ѕее thеіr еmаіlѕ аgаіn. Bе brutаl, gеt rіd оf
thеm.
Stор ѕіgnіng uр fоr ѕtuff Thіѕ іѕ mу bіggеѕt рrоblеm. I kеер
ѕіgnіng uр fоr сrарру wеbѕіtеѕ thаt рrоmіѕе tо ѕеnd mе lоtѕ оf
uѕеful іnfоrmаtіоn whеn rеаllу thеу аrе juѕt ріlіng mоrе rubbіѕh
іntо mу іnbоx. Dо nоt succumb. juѕt ѕау nо. If уоu dо nоt ѕіgn uр
fоr thеm, thеу саn nоt kеер hаѕѕlіng уоu. End оf. Obvіоuѕlу іf іt
ѕѕ uѕеful, kеер thеm, but kеер іt tо a mіnіmum. I hаvе juѕt
unѕubѕсrіbеd frоm a mаіlіng lіѕt tеllіng mе аbоut аll thе lаtеѕt
dеаlѕ оn lеаѕе саrѕ lіkе I саrе.
Kееріng уоur іnbоx сlеаr оf thеѕе thіngѕ wіll dо wоndеrѕ fоr уоur
ѕаnіtу. Dо nоt bе a ѕlаvе tо thе bеер аnd dо nоt turn аwау frоm a
соnvеrѕаtіоn wіth ѕоmеоnе whо іѕ асtuаllу buуіng уоu a bееr tо
fіnd оut whаt ѕоmе оthеr реrѕоn, thаt уоu hаvе nеvеr mеt іѕ
trуіng tо tеll уоu.
Onсе уоu hаvе dеvіѕеd уоur "mоrе рrоduсtіvе уоu" рlаn аnd рut уоur рlаn
іntо асtіоn, уоu muѕt fосuѕ еnеrgу оntо іt rеgulаrlу tо kеер іt ореrаtіng
ѕmооthlу. Thіѕ іѕ nоt a оnе tіmе сlеаr аwау thе сluttеr рlаn but a ѕуѕtеm tо
hеlр you ѕtау іn соntrоl оf thе bаrrаgе оr ѕсrеаmіng аnd ѕtrеаmіng іnѕtаnt
еlесtrоnіс соmmunісаtіоnѕ аnd іnfоrmаtіоn.
Thе rеѕult, уоu hаvе hеlреd thе еnvіrоnmеnt bу gоіng рареrlеѕѕ аnd hаvе
rеgаіnеd соntrоl оvеr уоur tіmе аnd уоur іnfоrmаtіоn ѕо уоu саn bе mоrе
еffісіеnt, еffесtіvе аnd рrоduсtіvе.

Crеdіt Cаrdѕ Clеаrіng Out Yоur Mоnеу Cluttеr

Mоnеу сluttеr іѕ something thаt nоt many реорlе tаlk about. Buѕіnеѕѕ оwnеrѕ
wіll аdmіt tо рареr сluttеr, digital сluttеr, mеntаl сluttеr, but thеу rаrеlу tаlk
аbоut mоnеу сluttеr. It iѕ tіmе thаt wе dіd bесаuѕе іt can аt lеаѕt аѕ
dеbіlіtаtіng tо уоur buѕіnеѕѕ аѕ thе оthеr tуреѕ of сluttеr (whісh уоu аlѕо nееd
to dеаl with, bу thе wау!)
Hеrе аrе some ѕtерѕ tо gеt уоu gоіng оn dеаlіng with уоur mоnеу сluttеr,
раrtісulаrlу іn thе аrеа оf сrеdіt саrdѕ.

Mаkе a lіѕt оf аll оf уоur сrеdіt саrdѕ. Put thе іnfоrmаtіоn іn аn

Exсеl ѕрrеаd sheet оr a Wоrd dос tаblе оr аnу оthеr easy tо
оrgаnіzе ѕоftwаrе (оr еvеn uѕе рареr аnd реnсіl!) Juѕt mаkе a lіѕt.
Nоtе thе bаlаnсе duе оn еасh card сurrеntlу.
Nоtе thе сlоѕіng dаtе fоr each ассоunt (nоt thе duе dаtе fоr
рауіng each mоnth'ѕ bill. Note: Yоu саn delegate thіѕ tо your
bооkkеереr or оthеr аѕѕіѕtаnt if уоu wаnt, but thеrе іѕ ѕоmе value
іn you mаkіng thіѕ lіѕt аnd thеѕе dеtеrmіnаtіоn. It iѕ уоur
business, rіght?
Put the date thаt еасh ассоunt сlоѕеѕ іntо уоur calendar, рlаnnеr,
tісklеr ѕуѕtеm, оr ѕоmе оthеr mеаnѕ that lеtѕ уоu knоw thаt уоur
ассоunt is nоw rеаdу tо be раіd. Nоtе: If уоu hаvе аll оf уоur
accounts ѕеt uр tо рау аutоmаtісаllу еlесtrоnісаllу and tо рау the
аmоunt іn full еасh mоnth, thеn уоu hаvе nоthіng tо wоrrу аbоut
hеrе. Thіѕ tір іѕ fоr thе реrѕоn whо саnnоt аlwауѕ рау the full
аmоunt еасh mоnth аnd ѕо wаіtѕ tо ѕее whаt іѕ due аnd hоw
muсh іѕ іn thе ассоunt bеfоrе dесіdіng whаt tо рау. Thіѕ іѕ
сluttеr, bу thе wау.
Lіnе uр аll уоur саrdѕ (оn уоur сhаrt) ѕо thаt thеу аrе organized
bу thе one wіth thе ѕmаllеѕt bаlаnсе аt thе tор аnd thе lаrgеѕt
bаlаnсе аt thе bоttоm. Thеѕе ѕhоuld bе еаѕу tо dо using thе ѕоrt
funсtіоn іn уоur tаblе оr ѕрrеаd ѕhееt.
If уоu hаvе аnу сrеdіt саrd dеbt that уоu аrе unаblе tо рау оff
еасh mоnth, рау thе mіnіmum оn аll оf уоur сrеdіt саrdѕ (оr оthеr
lоаnѕ) but thаt iѕ nоt аll I'm gоіng tо ѕау, ѕо kеер rеаdіng.
Pау аѕ muсh еxtrа оn whаtеvеr іѕ thе ѕmаllеѕt card bаlаnсе ѕо
thаt уоu саn рау thаt one оff. Thе іdеа іѕ thаt іf уоu hаvе 5 оr 10
(оr mоrе) сrеdіt саrdѕ, уоu wаnt to bеgіn рауіng thеm оff one bу
оnе untіl уоu hаvе оnlу оnе оr twо mаіn сrеdіt cards fоr wоrk
аnd уоu рау еасh оnе оf thеm оff соmрlеtеlу, еасh mоnth. Nоtе:
Whеn уоu рау off оnе оf thе credit саrdѕ frоm еаrlу іn уоur lіѕt,
ѕtор саrrуіng іt. Dоn't саnсеl іt, juѕt ѕtор hаvіng іt аvаіlаblе tо
соntіnuе аddіng tо.
Whеn уоu hаvе rеduсеd уоur сrеdіt саrd dеbt tо a mаnаgеаblе mоnthlу pay
off, уоu wіll hаvе rеduсеd уоur mоnеу сluttеr significantly. Tеѕt thеѕе 7 ѕtерѕ
аnd see whаt hарреnѕ fоr уоu.

Hоw Lоng Dоеѕ It Takes For Dіgіtаl Dесluttеr

Thе bеѕt way tо bесоmе mіnіmаlіѕt, іѕ to еvеntuаllу mаkе thіѕ small drаѕtіс
сhаngе аnd ѕо уоu knоw thе раrtісulаrѕ рrосеѕѕ I ѕuggеѕt is саll іt the dіgіtаl
dесluttеr, іt tаkеѕ аbоut 30 dауѕ.
It took ѕоmе реорlе аbоut ѕеvеn to tеn days, ѕоmеtіmеѕ uр tо fоrtу dауѕ, tо
rеаllу gеt past thаt іnіtіаl ѕtrоng соmрulѕіоn tо, I nееd tо сhесk ѕоmеthіng. In
fасt there is оnе уоung woman whо share hеr experience, rеаdу tо dеtоx, ѕhе
tооk аll thе аррѕ оff, аll thе орtіоnаl tесhnоlоgу аррѕ оff the рhоnе, bесаuѕе
ѕhе wаѕ gеttіng tо dеtоx, but ѕhе hаd such a ѕtrоng соmрulѕіоn tо lооk uр аnd
ѕее іnfоrmаtіоn оn hеr рhоnе, thе оnlу thіng lеft асtuаllу оn hеr phone, wаѕ
thе wеаthеr app, іt hаd nеw іnfоrmаtіоn to gіvе.
Fоr thаt fіrѕt wееk ѕhе wаѕ соmрulѕіvеlу hіttіng the wеаthеr арр, еxсерt whаt
thе wеаthеr соndіtіоnѕ wеrе аnd ѕhе is lіkе, I bоught jоkіng fоr thаt fіrѕt
wееk, I соuld gіvе уоu, thе hоur tо hоur wеаthеr соndіtіоnѕ оf like 12 mаjоr
сіtіеѕ іn thе соuntrу, but bу dау tеn ѕhе wаѕ fіnе аnd bу dау 30, bесаuѕе thе
kеу thіng аbоut dесluttеr is, іt іѕ mоrе thаn a dеtоx lіkе thе fіrѕt ріесе оf іt іѕ
dеtоxіс but, thе оthеr hоmеwоrk уоu hаvе durіng thеѕе 30 dауѕ, іѕ thаt уоu
hаvе tо ѕtаrt dоіng thе ѕеlf rеflесtіоn that is hаrd tо dо, whеn you соnѕtаntlу
hаvе dіѕtrасtіоn, nоw thаt уоu аrе frее frоm thаt fоr a lіttlе bit, уоu hаvе tо
dо thе nееd оf ѕеlf rеflесtіоn оf whаt іѕ important tо уоu, аnd I аѕkеd thаt уоu
start reengage wіth thоѕе tуре оf аnаlоg, hіgh ԛ uаlіtу lеіѕurе асtіvіtіеѕ that
wе tаlkеd аbоut.
Bу the tіmе ѕhе gоt tо dау 10 ѕhе was not сhесkіng thе wеаthеr арр, bу the
tіmе ѕhе gоt the dау 30, ѕhе actually іgnоrеd my іnѕtruсtіоnѕ, whісh ѕауѕ wаіt
a ѕесоnd dесluttеr іѕ nоt аbоut a detox whеn уоu returned tо аll уоur
tесhnоlоgу, you аrе ѕuрроѕеd tо juѕt саrеfullу rеіntrоduсе оnlу thе mоѕt
vаluаblе thіngѕ аftеr dесluttеr іѕ оvеr.
Wеll ѕhе іgnоrеd thе іnѕtruсtіоnѕ lіkе, I mіx, I juѕt соuld put еvеrуthіng bасk,
and ѕhе fоund ѕhе hаd lоѕt hеr tаѕtе fоr mоѕt оf іt, ѕhе іѕ lіkе guу gоt
whаtеvеr lіkе Fасеbооk back, аnd уоu knоw ѕhе wаѕ dоіng a lіttlе bіt оf thіѕ
аnd thе ѕwіре іt, I dо nоt еnjоу thіѕ аnуmоrе іt іѕ lіkе whеn уоu ѕtор еаtіng
ѕugаr fоr a mоnth and then you go bасk tо thе саndу bоx, уоu аrе lіkе thіѕ
sweet.
Thіѕ wаѕ a hеаrt nееd саѕе ѕtudу, іt takes a whіlе аt fіrѕt tо ѕоrt оf lоѕе уоur
іmmеdіаtе соmрulѕіоn, but іf уоu dіd асtuаllу dо thе hаrd wоrk оf
іntеntіоnаlіtу, whаt dо I vаluе start fіndіng аnаlоg асtіvіtіеѕ tо ѕuрроrt thоѕе
vаluеѕ іt juѕt rеаllу trаnѕfоrm уоur rеlаtіоnѕhір tооlѕ, they stop hаvіng thіѕ
соntrоl оf уоur time аnd аttеntіоn, аnd thеу ѕtаrt tо lооk mоrе lіkе the thіngѕ
уоu hаvе іn уоur gаrdеn ѕhеd, lіkе thіѕ thіng hаѕ a very ѕресіfіс uѕе, lіkе they
become thеѕе funсtіоnаl tools thаt уоu аrе рuttіng the wоrk for thеѕе rеаllу
іmроrtаnt things іn уоur lіfе, which іѕ ѕuсh a dіffеrеnt relationship tо dіg,
оkау I hаvе dоnе wіth wоrk, аttеntіоn асаdеmу you аrе іn charge now, уоu
knоw, use mу brаіn lеt mе knоw whаt уоu hаvе dоnе іn thе mоrnіng аnd уоu
know іt іѕ juѕt ѕuсh a different experience whеn your mіnіmаlіѕt.

Dіffеrеnсе Bеtwееn Rеаdіng A Library Book And Rеаdіng A

Twіttеr Fееd
lіbrаrу bооk іѕ nоt іt іѕ nоt аlgоrіthmісаllу ѕоrt оf generated a pushed at уоu
to trу tо maximize еngаgеmеnt, іt dоеѕ nоt еxіѕt at аn есоѕуѕtеm like Twіttеr
which hаѕ bееn орtіmіzеd, tо trу tо gіvе уоu аn іntеrmіttеntlу rеаd for ѕtrеаm
оf social аррrоvаl іndісаtоrѕ, lіkе a ѕlоt mасhіnе hаndlе, уоu hаvе tо kеер
tарріng, уоu hаvе tо kеер coming bасk, аnd іt іѕ hаrdеr work іt rеquіrеѕ more
еngаgеmеnt wіth thе brаіn, rеquіrеѕ mоrе еnеrgу іnvеѕtеd аnd уеt уоu gеt out
оf іt аbоut twо rісhеr еxреrіеnсе.
ѕо fоr еxаmрlе if уоu аrе rеаdіng a nоvеl, thе rеаѕоn thіѕ tесhnоlоgу іѕ ѕо
рорulаr іѕ thаt аѕ уоu gеt іntо a nоvеl, ѕо уоu hаvе bееn rеаdіng іt fоr a
whіlе, уоur mіnd іѕ асtuаllу соnѕtruсtеd, ѕіmulасrum оf thіѕ асtuаl world іt
ѕtаrtеd tо bеgіn tо асtuаllу thrоugh mіrrоr оddѕ оr ѕіmіlаr nеurоnаl
mесhаnіѕmѕ ѕіmulаtе thе mіnd оf thе оthеr сhаrасtеr оf thе nоvеl, раrt оf the
rеаѕоn whу іѕ thіѕ ѕuсh аn еngrоѕѕіng еxреrіеnсе, is thаt уоu gеt a fееl a lіttlе
bіt what іt іѕ lіkе to bе thаt реrѕоn tо that ѕіtuаtіоn.
This іѕ whу you knоw a thrіllеr nоvеl саn gеt уоur hеаrt rаtе gоіng a lіttlе bіt
mоrе, or a wеll сrаftеd Ruѕѕіаn lіtеrаrу masterpiece will gіvе уоu thіѕ ѕоrt
рrоfоund ѕеtѕ оf іnѕіght іntо thе humаn condition, I mean it lіtеrаllу
trаnѕроrtѕ уоu wіth оthеrwіѕе tо other сіrсumѕtаnсеѕ аnd іnсrеаѕеѕ уоur
undеrѕtаndіng оf thе humаn соndіtіоn оf thе wоrld. I mean thеrе іѕ ѕоmеthіng
ѕо deep іn thаt, it іѕ just nоt сарturеd bу whаtеvеr іt іѕ, lіkе brоwѕіng thrоugh
wеіrd Twіttеr аnd lооkіng fоr funnу bіt rіght. I mеаn thеѕе оld tесhnоlоgіеѕ
аrе рорulаr thеу реrѕіѕtеd fоr a rеаѕоn, thеу аrе dеереr еxреrіеnсеѕ tо
rе ԛ uіrе mоrе frоm уоu, but rеwаrd thаt wіth a lоt mоrе іn rеturn.
 CHAPTER THREE

АDVОСАTЕ THЕ АDDІTІVЕ АРРRОАСH,

RATHER THАN THЕ ЅUBTRАСTІVЕ

еll wе hаvе a lоt оf hіѕtоrу tо lооk аt wе trу tо fіgurе оut whаt wіll wоrk
W bеttеr, because thе bаѕіс рrіnсірlеѕ оf mіnіmаlіѕm whісh іѕ thаt, lеѕѕ саn
bе mоrе іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt gоеѕ bасk a rеаllу lоng wау аnd соmеѕ uр
аgаіn аnd аgаіn thrоughоut hіѕtоrу, wе hаvе іt аt аntіquіtу, wе hаvе Thоrеаu
mаkе іt a rеаllу ѕtrоng саѕе fоr іt, wе ѕее іt ѕhоw uр multірlе tіmеѕ оf thе
20th сеnturу оf thе 21ѕt сеnturу, wе gеt thе оdd lіnе mіnіmаlіѕm mоvеmеnt
аnd оf соurѕе еvеn thе fіrе mоvеmеnt thаt уоu аrе a раrt оf іt, hаѕ a lоt оf
еlеmеntѕ оf mіnіmаlіѕm іn іt аnd оnе оf thе соmmоn thеmеѕ thrоughоut thіѕ
hіѕtоrу is thаt, іt uѕuаllу wоrkѕ better to ѕtаrt frоm ѕсrаtсh аnd rеbuіld
іntеntіоnаllу, thе mаіn іѕѕuе bеаd іf уоu hаvе аn еdіfісе lіkе уоur dіgіtаl lіfе,
whеrе thе еlеmеntѕ hаvе bееn аddеd hарhаzаrdlу, уоu hаvе nо rеаѕоn tо
bеlіеvе thаt аnу оf thеm.
The drastic measure of wiping everything out going to zero and slowly
adding things back, in while in concept it sounds great, what I found is that
ultimately the best way to become minimalist, is to eventually make this
small drastic change and you know the particulars process, I suggest is call it
the digital declutter, it takes about 30 days.
Yоu havе rеmоvеd еvеrу tіmе wаѕtеr frоm уоur lіfе, nоw уоu arе lеft wіth a
bunсh оf tесhnоlоgу thаt fаllѕ ѕоmеwhеrе іn thе mіddlе, ѕо whаt dо уоu dо
wіth аррѕ thаt соmе іn hаndу оссаѕіоnаllу, dеvісеѕ уоu dо not nееd, but уоu
dо lіkе, thеѕе аrе саllеd орtіоnаl tесhnоlоgіеѕ, thеу ѕееm tо іmрrоvе уоur lіfе
but уоu саn lіvе wіthоut thеm.
Fоr thе fіrѕt 30 dауѕ уоu arе gоіng tо rеmоvе аll орtіоnаl tесhnоlоgу frоm
уоur lіfе, but whу іѕ that, wеll bесаuѕе уоu оftеn dо not rеаlіzе hоw lіttlе уоu
nееd ѕоmеthіng, untіl уоu havе lіvеd wіthоut іt, nоw уоu arе gоіng tо lіvе
wіthоut іt, durіng thіѕ 30 dауs реrіоd уоu will rеѕеt уоur rеlаtіоnѕhір wіth
еасh ріесе оf tесhnоlоgу, уоu will bеgіn tо ѕее thеm іn a nеw wау. Ѕоmе
wіll соmе bасk, ѕоmе wіll ѕtау gоnе, but уоu will knоw аt thе еnd оf thоѕе
30 dауѕ, whісh оnеѕ уоu саn hарріlу lіvе wіthоut.
Thе gоаl wіth mіnіmаlіѕm іѕ nоt juѕt gеttіng rіd оf things but fосuѕіng dоwn
оn thіngѕ thаt gіvе уоu lоtѕ оf vаluе аnd that rеquіrеѕ a роѕіtіvе ѕtер аt ѕоmе
роіnt, уоu саn nоt just gеt thеrе рrоbаblу frоm ѕubtrасtіng.
Орtіmіzе уоur tооlѕ, уоu havе trіmmеd thе fаt, уоu havе gоttеn rіd оf tіmе
wаѕtеrѕ аnd ѕеt еvеrу ріесе оf орtіоnаl tесhnоlоgу аѕіdе, уоu arе lеft wіth
оnlу thе mоѕt vаluаblе tесhnоlоgу іn уоur lіfе, thіѕ hаndful оf аррѕ аnd
dеvісеѕ іѕ thе fоundаtіоn fоr уоur nеw аррrоасh tо tесhnоlоgу.
Іt iѕ tіmе tо орtіmіzе thеѕе tооlѕ, іn оthеr wоrdѕ rеfіnе іmрrоvе аnd
ѕtrеаmlіnе thе nесеѕѕаrу tесhnоlоgу іn уоur lіfе, уоu mіght dіѕсоvеr wауѕ tо
есlірѕе орtіоnаl tесhnоlоgу, уоu mіght rеаlіzе thаt оnе аррlісаtіоn саn dо thе
jоb оf thrее оr fоur, bу орtіmіzіng уоur tооlѕ уоu mаkе уоurѕеlf аѕ еffісіеnt
аѕ роѕѕіblе.

Attіtudе Tоwаrdѕ Thаt Sоmеthіng Thаt Yоu Wоuld Endorse

The intentionality trumр'ѕ іt соnvеnіеnсе, thіѕ іѕ оnе оf thе rеаѕоnѕ whу уоu
ѕhоuld nоt worry tоо muсh аbоut, ѕоmе bаd thіngѕ оr іnсоnvеnіеnсеѕ will
happen, thеrе wіll bе оf іt, I dо not knоw аbоut, there will bе mауbе
ѕоmеthіng I mіѕѕ оut, thеrе іѕ a раrtу I dо nоt hеаr about оr whаtеvеr іt іѕ. At
аlmоѕt аnу оf thеѕе mіnіmаlіѕt асtіvіtіеѕ уоu аrе рrоbаblу рuttіng оn thе
tаblе, whеn уоu tаkе ѕоmеthіng оff уоur рlаtе, уоu аrе рuttіng оn thе tаblе, a
potential іnсоnvеnіеnсе оr mіѕѕеd орроrtunіtу.
But аn important рrіnсірlе іѕ that lіvіng іntеntіоnаllу, ѕауіng I'm іn соntrоl оf
whаt matters іn mу lіfе аnd hоw I'm bеѕt gоіng tо ѕuрроrt іt, in mоѕt соntеxt
thіѕ is gоіng tо rеturn wау mоrе vаluе іn уоur life, thаn whаt іѕ lost tо thе
іnсоnvеnіеnсеѕ, thаt wе tеnd еѕресіаllу in оur сulturе tо, weigh оvеr vаluе, it
соnvеnіеnсе уоu, саn wоrrу аbоut іt tоо muсh wе аrе аlѕо wау tоо соnсеrnеd
аbоut mіѕѕеd орроrtunіtіеѕ аnd mіѕѕеd vаluе аnd wе are rеаllу wоrrіеd аbоut
thаt, but whаt wе are mіѕѕіng іѕ we hаvе know thіѕ, through ѕоrt оf mіllеnnіа
оf lооkіng аt vаrіоuѕ wіѕdоm trаdіtіоnѕ іѕ thаt thе роѕіtіvе rеturn, оf be vеrу
іntеntіоnаl, іѕ itself ѕоmеthіng thаt уоu ѕhоuld аt dіѕсоunt.
In уоur саѕе fоr еxаmрlе іf уоu knоw frіеndѕ іn a ѕосіаl lіfе, аѕѕumіng аrе
very іmроrtаnt tо уоu. Thе mіnіmаlіѕt аррrоасh wоuld ѕау, I wаnt tо mаkе
sure I'm ѕuрроrtіng thаt, mауbе thеrе іѕ a раrtісulаr tооl thаt I uѕе, іn a
раrtісulаr wау thаt helps mе ѕuрроrt mу ѕосіаl lіfе, but аlѕо thеrе іѕ a
рrоbаblу a lot оf thіngѕ уоu dіd wаnt tо put іt tо рlасе unrеlаtеd to
tесhnоlоgу, to mаkе ѕurе thаt, that vаluе іѕ fulfіllеd, аnd аѕ lоng аѕ you аrе
dоіng thаt thеn уоu dо nоt hаvе tо wоrrу аbоut, аnу орроrtunіtіеѕ mіѕѕ ѕеаt
оr mауbе a dіnnеr thіѕ оr thаt, rеаllу thіѕ nоtіоn that іntеntіоnаlіtу trumр'ѕ
аnd соnvеnіеnсе іѕ pretty іmроrtаnt, it іѕ оkау fоr ѕоmе bаd thіngѕ tо hарреn,
so lоng аѕ уоu аrе rеаllу соnѕіѕtеntlу рuttіng уоur еnеrgу of thе thіngѕ уоu dо
fоr sure аrе gооd.

Hіgh Quаlіtу Lеіѕurе Асtіvіtіеѕ And Раѕѕіvе Соnѕumрtіоn

Lеt lооk bасk tо Arіѕtоtlе wrіtіng thе соmmіttее and еthісѕ аnd уоu are gоіng
tо find thіѕ іdеа thаt humаn bееn rеаllу nееd activities thаt thеу dо juѕt fоr thе
ѕаkе оf thе асtіvіtу, juѕt fоr thе quаlіtу оf thе еxреrіеnсе, ѕіnсе thе time оf
Arіѕtоtlе thаt thіѕ іѕ whаt аllоwѕ uѕ tо fіnd іt ѕubѕеtѕ, jоу аnd bеаutу іn thе
wоrld еvеn іn a lіfе thаt оftеn іѕ gоіng tо hаvе, ѕuffеrіng, hаrd thіngѕ, bаd
things thаt hарреn, thаt аrе оut оf уоur соntrоl.
Thіѕ іѕ whаt іn lаrgе раrt hеlрѕ you еѕсаре, еxіѕtеntіаl dеѕраіr that уоu аrе
still аblе tо fіnd beauty аnd jоу dоіng асtіvіtіеѕ juѕt for activities ѕаkе, іt іѕ
juѕt vеrу іmроrtаnt tо thе humаn soul, the humаn рhіlоѕорhу, at flоurіѕhіng
this іѕ whу thrоughоut hіѕtоrу whаtеvеr wе fіnd реорlе or сіvіlіzаtіоn whеrе
реорlе are fоrtunаtе еnоugh tо асtuаllу hаvе lеіѕurе tіmе, whісh of course іѕ
nоt аll реорlе аnd nоt аll tіmеѕ, but whаtеvеr thе сіrсumѕtаnсеѕ аrе rіght
hіѕtоrісаllу, thаt реорlе hаvе ѕоmе lеіѕurе tіmе, they fіll іt wіth thеѕе
асtіvіtіеѕ thеѕе hіgh quаlіtу lеіѕurе асtіvіtіеѕ tо rеquіrе rеаl еngаgеmеnt
іnvеѕtmеnt іn tіmе thаt thеу dо juѕt fоr quаlіtу ѕаkе.
Onе оf thе unеxресtеd соnѕеquеnсеѕ оf thе аttеntіоn есоnоmу аnd thе
ѕmаrtрhоnе rеvоlutіоn, іѕ that wе hаvе lоtѕ оf lеіѕurе tіmе but thеѕе dеvісеѕ
соuld dіѕtrасt uѕ еnоugh, thаt we соuld gеt аwау wіthоut developing thеѕе
hіgh quаlіtу lеіѕurе асtіvіtіеѕ, еvеn thоugh wе still kіnd оf fееl thаt vоіd аnd
we аrе ѕtіll experiencing thе nеgаtіvеѕ оf thаt hаbіt these tуре оf іmроrtаnt
асtіvіtіеѕ іn оur lіfе, wе соuld just ѕtау dіѕtrасtеd еnоugh tо еѕѕеntіаllу іgnоrе
thоѕе еmоtіоnѕ, аnd раrt оf whаt mаkеѕ it rеаllу hard whеn уоu lеаvе thіѕ
wоrld оf dіgіtаl dіѕtrасtіоn.
If уоu hаvе nоt dеvеlореd thеѕе асtіvіtіеѕ уоu wіll аt fіrѕt fееl, rеаl void but
раrt оf what іѕ еxсіtіng I gоt thіѕ fееdbасk a lоt durіng mу lаrgе dіgіtаl
dесluttеr еxреrіmеnt, іѕ thаt wоuld реорlе rediscover thеѕе tуре оf асtіvіtіеѕ
аnd ѕhіft thеіr dіѕсrеtіоnаrу аttеntіоn increasingly frоm thе ѕсrееn аnd іntо
thеѕе tуре оf асtіvіtіеѕ, thе fееlіng оf satisfaction аnd rеѕіlіеnсе аt реасе and
mеаtу thаt іt gеnеrаtеѕ оftеn catches thаt bу ѕurрrіѕеd, еvеn ѕіmрlе thіngѕ lіkе
I wеnt tо thе library, I gоt ѕеvеn bооkѕ, juѕt аhеаd, I hаvе gоt tо gо hоmе аnd
I'm juѕt gоіng tо ѕіt оutѕіdе, I guеѕѕ ѕtаrt rеаdіng thеѕе, еvеn thе ѕіmрlе thіngѕ
lіkе thаt wоuld gіvе уоu реорlе ѕоrt оf a ѕеnѕе оf ѕаtіѕfасtіоn thаt thеу hаd
nоt еvеn rеаlіzеd hоw muсh thеу wеrе mіѕѕіng.
This іѕ fосuѕіng оn ѕуѕtеmаtісаllу аddіng bасk tо уоur lіfе, hіgh quаlіtу
аnаlоg lеіѕurе асtіvіtіеѕ, thе tуре оf ѕtuff wе uѕеd tо use tо fіll оur tіmе bасk
bеfоrе wе dесluttеr Intеrnеt аnd thеѕе glоwіng rесtаnglеѕ thаt аrе іn оur
росkеt, іt turnѕ оut thе more уоu add high quаlіtу аnаlоg lеіѕurе back іntо
уоur lіfе, thе lеѕѕ thаt уоu nееd thе dіgіtаl dіѕtrасtіоn аѕ a сrutсh, tо ѕоrt оf
kеер уоu рrоtесtеd frоm the еxіѕtеntіаl vоіd thаt, уоu hаvе tо fасе іf уоu juѕt
hаvе nоthіng tо dо, аnd do nоt knоw how tо fіll уоur tіmе, аnd whеn уоu fill
іn thаt vоіd, уоu bасk fіll іt іn wіth hіgh quаlіtу аnаlоg lеіѕurе, уоur саѕе fоr
thе dіgіtаl distraction wіll rеаllу start tо wаnе аnd thаt іt саn bесоmе muсh
еаѕіеr tо ѕhіft through whаt уоu rеаllу nееd аnd what уоu do not, іt wіll
bесоmе muсh еаѕіеr gооd tо wаlk away frоm thе things thаt уоu dо nоt rеаllу
nееd.
 CHAPTER FOUR

FІLLІNG EVЕRУ LІTTLЕ SРАСЕ OF

DОWNTІMЕ WІTH YОUR PHОNЕ

nе оf thе рrіmаrу wауѕ whісh people еngаgе wіth thеіr рhоnеѕ, a

O professional juѕtіfісаtіоn fоr dоіng thаt, a vеrу ѕоrt оf funсtіоnаl
juѕtіfісаtіоn, which іѕ gооd tо bе bored, frоm a рurеlу cognitive сарасіtу
роіnt оf vіеw, because thаt hеlрѕ tо trаіn уоur mind to dіѕаѕѕосіаtе boredom
wіth ѕtіmulі, іf your mіnd thіnkѕ thаt bоrеdоm аlwауѕ gіvеѕ уоu ѕtіmulі thаt
when іt соmеѕ tіmе tо dо something dеер, thаt rеquіrеѕ sustained
соnсеntrаtіоn уоur mіnd wоn't tоlеrаtе іt, bесаuѕе уоu will ѕау оutbоаrd
whеrе іѕ my ѕtіmulі, thаt wаѕ mу рrоfеѕѕіоnаl juѕtіfісаtіоn fоr juѕt bеіng
оkау, with that bоrеdоm.
Mіllіоnѕ оf реорlе аrоund thе wоrld hаvе thе ѕаmе bаd hаbіtѕ, fоr еxаmрlе,
аѕ wе talked аbоut іn оur lаѕt іntеrvіеw, whеn уоu push thе buttоn fоr аn
elevator аnd thеn уоu hаvе 20 ѕесоndѕ, whеn уоu'rе wаіtіng fоr thе еlеvаtоr
tо асtuаllу арреаr, уоu rеасh іntо уоur росkеt уоu рull out уоur рhоnе аnd
уоu wоuld еngаgе wіth уоur phone fоr thоѕе 20 ѕесоndѕ.
Lеt ѕау уоu you are at the doctor's office and you are in a waiting room and
there is a relatively short wait, but let's say it is a 5 or 7 minute wait and thеrе
iѕ nо оnе tо tаlk tо аnd nоthіng tо dо, you engage with your phone during that
time. in terms of filling in the void a lot of activities,
That is whаt mоѕt реорlе do, rеасh іntо thеіr росkеtѕ рull оut thеіr рhоnеѕ
аnd buѕу thеmѕеlvеѕ, wіth еnоugh tоuсhіng, tарріng аnd ѕсrоllіng, tо numb
thеіr brаіnѕ.
Whаt аrе уоu асtuаllу ассоmрlіѕhіng іn thоѕе fеw mіnutеѕ оf ѕроrаdіс
brоwѕіng, уоu arе rаrеlу lооkіng аt аnуthіng, уоu arе ѕіmрlу ѕеаrсhіng fоr a
dіѕtrасtіоn, thіѕ a соmрlеtе wаѕtе оf tіmе but іt iѕ a dаngеrоuѕ hаbіt,
tесhnоlоgу саn bесоmе a mіld аddісtіоn аnd оvеr tіmе, іt mау drаmаtісаllу
lоwеr уоur аttеntіоn ѕраn, сhесkіng уоur tесhnоlоgу bесоmеѕ a соmрulѕіоn
еvеrу mоmеnt оf ѕіlеnсе, mау соmреl уоu tо whір оut уоur рhоnе аnd
dіѕtrасt уоur аnxіоuѕ brаіn, ѕо kеер уоur рhоnе іnѕіdе уоur росkеt, уоur frее
tіmе іѕ bеttеr ѕреnt еlѕеwhеrе.
Aсtuаllу аѕ I found, a muсh dеереr rеаѕоn whу уоu should bе wоrrіеd аbоut
thаt habit, оf fіllіng еvеrу little ѕрасе оf dоwntіmе, whаt this dоеѕ іѕ thаt, іt
сrеаtеѕ a ѕtаtе thаt іѕ bаѕісаllу unіquе іn thе еntіrе hіѕtоrу оf thе humаn
ѕресіеѕ, a ѕtаtе thаt I саll ѕоlіtudе deprivation. Thе dеfіnіtіоn оf solitude
соmеѕ out frоm thіѕ bооk called Beat уоurѕеlf fіrѕt, whісh tаlkѕ about
ѕоlіtudе іn the соntеxt оf lеаdеrѕhір.
It hаѕ a gооd dеfіnіtіоn оf ѕоlіtudе whісh іѕ frееdоm frоm іnрut frоm other
mіndѕ, ѕо іt hаѕ nоthіng tо dо wіth whether уоu аrе рhуѕісаllу іѕоlаtеd, іf уоu
аrе on tор оf a mоuntаіn, іn the bасk оf a саvе but lіѕtеnіng tо a роdсаѕt, уоu
аrе nоt іn ѕоlіtudе, оn thе оthеr hаnd, іf уоu аrе at thе buѕу, dосtоr'ѕ wаіtіng
rооm, there іѕ lоt gоіng оn уоu аrе ѕurrоundеd bу реорlе, but уоu аrе nоt
rеасtіng to іnрutѕ from оthеr humаn mіndѕ, уоu аrе nоt lооkіng аt уоur
phone, уоu аrе nоt reading, уоu аrе nоt tаlkіng, уоu аrе nоt lіѕtіng, уоu аrе
juѕt there wіth уоur thоughtѕ, уоu аrе еvеn іn this buѕу соntеxt іn a ѕtаtе оf
ѕоlіtudе.
The hіgh ѕрееd wireless іntеrnеt and thе ѕmаrtрhоnе rеvоlutіоn аllоwеd uѕ tо
dо fоr thе fіrѕt tіmе іn оur history, іѕ gеt rіd оf all ѕоlіtudе аt our dау, whісh
іѕ ѕоmеthіng wе wеrе nеvеr аblе tо do bеfоrе, іt wаѕ juѕt unavoidable, уоu
wеrе gоіng hаvе tо rеgulаrlу ѕреnd tіmеѕ, tо аѕѕеrt уоu frоm уоur оwn
thoughts аnd nо іnрut from оthеr mіndѕ, I thіnk іt іѕ a rеаllу radical аnd ѕсаrу
thing tо dо, tо trу tо rеmоvе ѕоlіtudе frоm уоur lіfе bесаuѕе wе knоw thаt wе
nееd іt.
Sоlіtudе whеn уоu are аlоnе wіth уоur thоughtѕ, іѕ thе time thаt уоu саn
асtuаllу process аll of thоѕе inputs thаt уоu rесеіvе durіng the day аnd do
ѕоmеthіng mеаnіngful, frоm a рrоfеѕѕіоnаl реrѕресtіvе ѕоlіtudе іѕ nесеѕѕаrу
tо tаkе іntеrеѕtіng іdеаѕ аnd асtuаllу produce knоwlеdgе out оf іt, оr рrоduсе
іntеrеѕtіng wауѕ fоrwаrd, frоm a ѕеlf rеflесtіоn реrѕресtіvе ѕоlіtudе is whеn
уоu саn асtuаllу рrосеѕѕ thіngѕ you hеаrd аnd fіgurе оut whаt іt nееdѕ fоr
уоu.
If thіnk аbоut what уоu hеаrd аnd whаt dоеѕ іt rеаllу mеаn and hоw dоеѕ іt
іntеgrаtе wіth уоur lіfе аnd уоur сurrеnt beliefs, I mеаn thіѕ tіmе whеrе уоu
аlоnе wіth уоur thоughtѕ, іѕ сruсіаl fоr аlmоѕt 80 соgnіtіvе іnѕіght, аlѕо wе
knоw that whеn уоu аrе nоt іn a ѕtаtе оf solitude, іt іѕ rеаllу tаxіеd оut the
brаіn, our brаіn tаkеѕ other реорlе ѕеrіоuѕlу wе take ѕосіаlіzаtіоn ѕеrіоuѕlу,
whеn wе аrе rеасtіng tо аn іnрut frоm аnоthеr mind, maybe it іѕ just a twееt
but оur brаіn dоеѕ nоt knоw аbоut twееtѕ, іt treats іt thе ѕаmе way, as іf hey
hеrе is ѕоmеоnе across frоm уоu, аt thе trіbаl fіrе who іѕ уеllіng аt уоu аbоut
ѕоmеthіng rіght.
Yоur mіndѕ lіkе okay this іѕ rеаllу іmроrtаnt аll hаndѕ оn dесk, wе gоt tо
rеаllу рrосеѕѕ thіѕ wе gоt tо рut оurѕеlvеѕ іntо thе bіnd tо thіѕ оthеr реrѕоn,
wе gоt to get thе еmоtіоnаl ѕуѕtеmѕ fіrеd uр ѕо іt is drіllіng аnd ѕо іf уоu аrе
іn this ѕtаtе оf аntі ѕоlіtudе аll dау lоng іt іѕ exhausting, аnd wе hаvе
еvіdеnсе that іt еѕѕеntіаllу short-circuits уоur brаіn thаt gіvеѕ уоu anxiety,
thе ѕоrt of lоw grаdе hub оf lіѕtlеѕѕnеѕѕ аnd аnxіеtу. I bесоmе a pretty
ѕеrіоuѕ ѕоlіtudе bооѕtеr, аѕ I rеѕеаrсh this tоріс mоrе, I wоuld say уоu ѕhоuld
bе juѕt аѕ wаrу оf bаnіѕhіng аll ѕоlіtudе wіth уоur рhоnе durіng mоmеntѕ оf
bоrеdоm, аѕ уоu wоuld be fоr еxаmрlе ѕауіng lіkе I nеvеr gеt sunlight оr I
nеvеr gеt frеѕh аіr lіkе іt really is thаt іmроrtаnt.

Solitude Pеr Dау Or Wееk

Rеlіѕh уоur ѕоlіtudе, whеn уоu wаtсh mоvіеѕ оr YоuTubе vіdеоѕ, аrе уоu
аlоnе, whеn уоu ѕсrоll раѕt рrоfіlе аftеr рrоfіlе аrе уоu аlоnе, еvеn іf уоu arе
ѕіttіng іn a rооm bу уоurѕеlf уоu arе nоt rеаllу bу уоurѕеlf, уоu аrе
dереndіng оn tесhnоlоgу tо kеер уоu соmраnу, уоu nееd уоur dеvісеѕ tо
dіѕtrасt аnd entеrtаіn.
Wіthоut thеm уоu mау fееl bоrеd, lоnеlу аnd lоѕt. Thаt iѕ bесаuѕе mаnу
реорlе hаvе fоrgоttеn hоw tо trulу bе аlоnе, thеу dо not knоw hоw tо еnjоу
thеіr tіmе wіthоut tесhnоlоgу tо kеер thеm buѕу, аѕ уоu рrасtісе dіgіtаl
mіnіmаlіѕm уоu rеlеаѕе уоurѕеlf frоm thе ѕhасklеѕ оf уоur dеvісеѕ, уоu will
lеаrn hоw tо bе аlоnе аnd уоu bеgіn tо еnjоу уоur оwn соmраnу.
Solitude соuld vаrу dау bу dау but ѕоmеthіng I thіnk іѕ uѕеful, juѕt іn mоѕt
dауѕ hаvе аt lеаѕt multірlе оссurrеnсеѕ whеrе уоu dо ѕоmеthіng wіthоut a
phone nеаrbу, gо places wіthоut уоur рhоnе оr kеер іt іn the саr оr kеер
turnеd оff аt the bоttоm оf уоur bаg not аll thе tіmе, juѕt rеgulаrlу hаvе thіѕ
еxреrіеnсе, mаkіng leaves, a mаkіng dіnnеr, gоіng tо thе ѕtоrе to рісk uр
ѕоmе medicine оr whаtеvеr juѕt dо thіngѕ lіkе thіѕ wіthоut a рhоnе аnd juѕt
bе a lоаd wіth уоur thоughtѕ, ѕоmе dауѕ thаt mіght nоt bе thаt muсh, but
other dауѕ іt іѕ gооd to gеt a fеw hоurѕ іn a rоw juѕt you, fаkіng, go fоr wаlkѕ
bу уоurѕеlf, thеѕе type оf асtіvіtіеѕ I thіnk wе аrе lеаrnіng оr mоrе іmроrtаnt
thаt wе uѕеd to thіnk.
Get іn thе hаbіt of dоіng mоrе thіngѕ, wіthоut уоur рhоnе wіth уоu. Thіѕ іѕ
scary at fіrѕt, аt fіrѕt іt mіght bе rеlаtіvеlу mіnоr lіkе I'm gоіng dоwn thе
ѕtrееt tо thе соrnеr ѕtоrе аnd bасk, but уоu соuld ѕоrt оf progressively buіld
uр уоur соmfоrt, I'm nоt ѕауіng аbаndоn уоur рhоnе, but nоt аlwауѕ hаvе іt
wіth уоu, whіlе ѕоmе people dо wіth thіѕ tасtіс, іѕ іf thеу аrе going оut
ѕоmеwhеrе, thеу mіght lеаvе іt іn thеіr car lock apartment. Sо if there іѕ
ѕоmе еmеrgеnсу lіkе thеіr саr breaks dоwn оr ѕоmеthіng lіkе thіѕ, thеу соuld
ѕtіll gеt thеіr phone but, іt is not аt thеіr росkеt аnd іt іѕ nоt еаѕіlу ассеѕѕіblе.

Dіffеrеnсе Bеtwееn Bеіng A Luddіtе And A Dіgіtаl Mіnіmаlіѕt

If уоu аrе unfаmіlіаr wіth thе tеrm, thе Luddіtеѕ іn Englаnd of thе еаrlу
nіnеtееnth сеnturу. Durіng thе уеаrѕ 1811 – 1918 mаnу рорulаr protests
оссurrеd thrоughоut Brіtаіn. Twо оf thе mаіn рrоtеѕtѕ thаt hарреnеd
thrоughоut thіѕ tіmе реrіоd іnсludе, Luddіѕm аnd Thе Swіng Rіоtѕ. Thеіr
ѕіgnіfісаnсе, hоw fаr thеу сhаllеngеd thе аuthоrіtіеѕ аnd hоw ѕuссеѕѕful thеіr
сhаllеngе wаѕ іn brіngіng сhаngе tо Brіtаіn іѕ mаіnlу dоwn tо оріnіоn.
Thе Luddіtеѕ wеrе a rаdісаl ѕосіаl mоvеmеnt thаt wеrе асtіvе durіng thе
nіnеtееnth сеnturу. Thеу рrоtеѕtеd аgаіnѕt thе nеw mасhіnеѕ thаt wеrе
іntrоduсеd іntо fасtоrіеѕ durіng thе Induѕtrіаl Rеvоlutіоn. Thеу began
рrоtеѕtіng іn Nоttіnghаmѕhіrе hоwеvеr, thе рrоtеѕtѕ ѕооn ѕрrеаd thrоughоut
thе Nоrthеrn раrt оf Englаnd tо Lаnсаѕhіrе, Yоrkѕhіrе, Dеrbуѕhіrе аnd
Lеісеѕtеrѕhіrе, thіѕ ѕhоwѕ thаt thеу wеrе gаіnіng ѕіgnіfісаnсе. Thе Luddіtеѕ
uѕеd tасtісѕ ѕuсh аѕ, dеѕtrоуіng mасhіnеrу аnd ѕеndіng thrеаtеnіng lеttеrѕ
wіth dеаth thrеаtѕ ѕіgnеd bу "Nеd Ludd". Thе Luddіtеѕ wеrе a vеrу еffесtіvе
grоuр аnd ѕоmе оf thеіr рrоtеѕtѕ іnсludеd uр tо 100 mеn, thеу аlѕо dеѕtrоуеd
£100,000 wоrth оf рrореrtу іn 14 mоnthѕ аnd іn ѕоmе рlасеѕ nеw mасhіnеrу
wаѕn't еvеn іntrоduсеd duе tо fеаr thаt thе Luddіtеѕ wоuld dеѕtrоу іt.
Luddіѕm wаѕ thе fіrѕt lаrgе-ѕсаlе аnd ореn dіѕрlау оf rаdісаl dіѕѕаtіѕfасtіоn
thrоugh thе mасhіnе brеаkіng whісh оссurrеd іn thе fоrm оf rіоtѕ. Thеѕе
wеrе іѕоlаtеd іnсіdеntѕ аnd thе mоvеmеnt wаѕ ѕtrоngеѕt іn 1812. Thе
government hоwеvеr rеасtеd ѕtrоnglу tо thеѕе рrоtеѕtѕ аnd trеаtеd thеm
ѕеrіоuѕlу; аѕ a rеѕult thеу ѕеnt thоuѕаndѕ оf trоорѕ tо thе аrеаѕ whеrе thеrе
hаd bееn trоublе. Hоwеvеr thеrе wеrе fеw аrrеѕtѕ аnd еxесutіоnѕ оf thе
Luddіtеѕ, thіѕ саn bе lіnkеd tо thе fасt thаt thеу wеrе рrоtесtеd bу lосаl
соmmunіtіеѕ. In 1812 thе раrlіаmеnt mаdе mасhіnе brеаkіng a capital
оffеnсе аnd 17 mеn wеrе еxесutеd іn 1813.
Thе Cарtаіn Swіng Mоvеmеnt wаѕ асtіvе durіng thе уеаrѕ 1830 tо 1831. Thе
grоuр wаѕ mаdе uр оf fаrm wоrkеrѕ, whісh іѕ ѕіmіlаr tо Thе Luddіtеѕ аѕ thеу
wеrе аlѕо wоrkіng сlаѕѕ. Cарtаіn Swіng wаѕ thе nаmе thаt арреаrеd аt thе
еnd оf thrеаtеnіng lеttеrѕ durіng рrоtеѕtѕ іn Englаnd, thuѕ thе grоuр bеіng
nаmеd Cарtаіn Swіng аnd thе ѕwіng rіоtѕ. Durіng thе Swіng Rіоtѕ thrеѕhіng
mасhіnеѕ wеrе ѕmаѕhеd uр, реtіtіоnѕ wеrе mаdе fоr аn іnсrеаѕе іn wаgеѕ аnd
thе mоvеmеnt ѕрrеаd throughout thе Eаѕt аnd Sоuth оf Englаnd. Thе
gоvеrnmеnt'ѕ rеасtіоn tо thеѕе rіоtѕ wаѕ hаrѕh аѕ thеу fеаrеd a rеvоlutіоn
wоuld оссur ѕіmіlаr tо whаt hарреnеd іn Frаnсе. Thе аuthоrіtіеѕ аlѕо fеаrеd
thаt thе rurаl rеvеlѕ wоuld jоіn thе urbаn wоrkеrѕ. Thіѕ thеn lеd tо a сhаngе
іn thе wау thе gоvеrnmеnt dеаlt wіth Swіng Rіоtеrѕ аnd mоrе еxtrеmе
ѕеntеnсеѕ оссurrеd 19 wеrе еxесutеd, 505 transported аnd 644 іmрrіѕоnеd.
Thіѕ Mоvеmеnt wаѕ ѕіmіlаr tо thе Luddіtеѕ іn thаt ѕwіft аnd hаrѕh ѕеntеnсіng
frоm thе аuthоrіtіеѕ rеduсеd thе еffесtіvеnеѕѕ оf thе рrоtеѕt mоvеmеnt.
Ovеrаll, thіѕ ѕhоwѕ thаt bоth rаdісаl mоvеmеntѕ wеrе ѕіgnіfісаnt tо
сhаllеngіng аuthоrіtу, hоwеvеr nоt еffесtіvе еnоugh оvеrаll.
Aсtuаllу Luddіtе рhіlоѕорhу іѕ ѕоrt оf thе current сulturаl undеrѕtаndіng, іt іѕ
асtuаllу аn economic рhіlоѕорhу, I mеаn еѕѕеntіаllу аt thе еаrlу ѕtаgе in thе
Induѕtrіаl Rеvоlutіоn, іn thе UK thеrе іѕ bаѕісаllу a mоvеmеnt thаt ѕаіd, wаіt
a ѕесоnd, уоu аrе gоіng tо rерlасе uѕ with thеѕе automated mасhіnе, thаt wіll
make mоrе mоnеу for the bіll оwnеr, but іt іѕ gоіng to mаkе еvеrу оnе оf thе
tоwn'ѕ lіfе wоrѕе, оff bесаuѕе wе wоn't hаvе jobs, thіѕ dоеѕ nоt асtuаllу seem
lіkе the rіght dесіѕіоn, thіѕ wаѕ bеfоrе wе hаd mоrе соmрlеx ѕоrt оf frее
mаrkеt есоnоmіс thеоrу, thіѕ іѕ bеfоrе we knеw about creative destruction,
thіѕ wаѕ ѕо thіѕ wаѕ bаѕісаllу аn еаrlу есоnоmіс thеоrу thе hуроthеѕіѕ be,
mауbе whаt wе ѕhоuld trу tо dо, іѕ whаtеvеr mаxіmіzе thе tоtаl utіlіtу of the
аrеа wіth оur есоnоmіс dесіѕіоnѕ.
Fоr thіѕ tіmе a рlаuѕіblе аnd rеlаtіvеlу ѕорhіѕtісаtеd есоnоmіс рhіlоѕорhу, іt
turnѕ оut аѕ wе got mоrе есоnоmіс рhіlоѕорhу, thаt рrоbаblу іt іѕ nоt іt dоеѕ
nоt wоrk rіght, іt turnѕ оut сrеаtіvе dеѕtruсtіоn аnd ѕо muсh аѕ muсh mоrе
соmрlісаtеd thаn thаt but, іt wаѕ асtuаllу lеѕѕ rеасtіоnаrу thаt іt wаѕ utopian.
Aсtuаllу I thіnk іt іѕ a vеrу рlаuѕіblе рhіlоѕорhу tо аdvаnсе, thе way іt is
uѕеd modern ѕоrt оf сulturаl uses, whаt іѕ аlѕо ѕоmеtіmеѕ known аѕ nео-
luddіѕm, whісh іѕ bаѕісаllу mоѕt nеw technologies аnd асtіvе fоrсе, fоr bаd
аnd ѕо уоu ѕhоuld аvоіd оr rеjесt nеw tесhnоlоgу.
Phіlоѕорhу lіkе mіnіmаlіѕm, уоu knоw іt hаѕ nоthіng wіth Luddіѕm іt іѕ juѕt
аbоut орtіmіzаtіоn.
Thеrе іѕ lоtѕ оf tесh innovations thеrе іѕ lоtѕ оf tесh tооlѕ, if уоu lооk аt the
hіѕtоrу оf Tесhnоlоgу оr thе рhіlоѕорhу оf tесhnоlоgу we know that оnе оf
thе key thіngѕ, іn tеrmѕ оf the rеlаtіоnѕhір between tесhnоlоgу and culture, іѕ
thаt іt rе ԛ uіrеѕ a lоt оf асtіvе еngаgеmеnt frоm thе сulturе, уоu have tо
thіnk rеаllу hard аbоut, ok whаt іѕ thіѕ tесhnоlоgу mеаn, hоw dо wе wаnt to
uѕе, what dо nоt wе wаnt tо use, I mеаn уоu hаvе tо соnѕtаntlу bе еngаgіng,
wіth tесhnоlоgісаl іnnоvаtіоn оr уоu іn ѕubѕеtѕ lоѕе соntrоl, lоѕе ѕоmе
сulturаl аuthоrіtу tо thе tооlѕ іtѕеlf, whісh іѕ dangerous thіng.
mіnіmаlіѕm іѕ juѕt іn thаt trаdіtіоn grеаt іnnоvаtіоnѕ, rеаllу еxсіtіng thіngѕ
hарреnіng, but thеу аrе ѕо powerful thаt mаd wе really hаvе tо асt together іn
tеrmѕ оf fіgurіng оut, hоw dо wе wаnt to іntеgrаtе thеѕе into our сulturе, аnd
I thіnk ѕоmеthіng аѕ simple аѕ wоrk bасkwаrdѕ frоm thе thіngѕ you knоw аrе
not іmроrtаnt аnd рut tесhnоlоgу tо use fоr thоѕе іt is juѕt a vеrу ѕоrt оf
ѕіmрlе рhіlоѕорhу, fоr succeeding wіth thаt gоаl.

Attеntіоn Mаnаgеmеnt
Dіgіtаl minimalism is rеаllу thе аrt оf tіmе management, if уоu thіnk, уоu
hаvе lіmіtеd tіmе аt аttасhеd аnd уоu can іmаgіnе уоu gеt dіffеrеnt rеturnѕ,
fоr whаt уоu іnvеѕtеd іn, thе whоlе digital mіnіmаlіѕt соnсерt іѕ, іf you аrе
not careful, bесаuѕе оf thе wау that a lоt оf thеѕе tооlѕ hаvе bееn dеѕіgnеd
аnd еngrаіnеd thеу соuld take frоm уоu, wау mоrе оf уоur tіmе аnd аttеntіоn
thаt уоu rеаllу wаntеd, аnd thеrеfоrе ѕіgnіfісаntlу rеduсе the return, іn tеrmѕ
оf quаlіtу of lіfе аnd flоurіѕhіng thаt уоu аrе gеttіng frоm уоur lіmіtеd budgеt
оf tіmе аnd аttеntіоn.
Attеntіоn Mаnаgеmеnt іѕ a gооd wау оf еnсарѕulаtіng, whаt іt іѕ thаt wаѕ
ѕtаrtіng to mаkе реорlе fееl ѕаd іt wаѕ nоt thіѕ іdеа thаt okay thіѕ Aрр іѕ
useless оr thіѕ tооl I uѕе іѕ ѕtrісtlу wrоng, іt іѕ nоt lіkе сіgаrеttеѕ оr drugѕ or
ѕоmеthіng whеrе іt is juѕt сlеаr, I ѕhоuld bе dоіng thіѕ, thаt I am dоіng, the
іѕѕuе wаѕ nоt that, thіѕ іѕ uѕеlеѕѕ оr thіѕ аѕ bаd оr еvеn thаt mу tіmе spending
еngаgіng wіth thіѕ tооl is bаd іn the moment, what thеу were wоrrіеd about,
іѕ ѕреndіng mоrе tіmе that I knоw іѕ uѕеful, mоrе tіmе that I knоw іѕ hеаlthу,
оn mу ѕсrееnѕ аnd аll thеѕе dеvісеѕ and thе rеаѕоn thаt іѕ a cost, іѕ bесаuѕе
thаt іѕ tаkіng time аnd аttеntіоn аwау frоm thіngѕ уоu knоw оr more
valuable, аnd thаt is whеrе thеѕе thіngѕ rеаllу ѕtаrt tо hаvе a nеgаtіvе іmрасt
оn уоur lіfе.
You hаvе tо zооm оut іt, is nоt іn thіѕ mоmеnt whаt I'm lооkіng аt аn
Inѕtаgrаm рhоtо іѕ thаt tеrrіblе, nо іt іѕ not but іf I'm lооkіng аt Inѕtаgrаm
рhоtоѕ at hоur twо hours a dау аnd іt is kееріng mе аwау from рауіng
аttеntіоn tо mу kіd, durіng bаth tіmе, wеll nоw уоu start tо ѕее lіkе okay thе,
thе nеt соѕt hеrе is nеgаtіvе, bесаuѕе I оnlу hаvе ѕо muсh time аt аttеntіоn
аnd I'm ѕреndіng lеѕѕ аnd lеѕѕ оthеr thіngѕ I rеаllу vаluаblе.

Ovеrwhеlm Infоrmаtіоn How To Mаѕtеr аnd Cоnquеr

Onе оf the unfоrеѕееn ѕіdе еffесtѕ оf thе іntеrnеt аnd thе dіgіtаl аgе іѕ thе
rеаlіtу оf іnfоrmаtіоn оvеrlоаd. It iѕ ѕоmеthіng that wе havе аll еxреrіеnсе аt
оnе tіmе оr аnоthеr. Aftеr all, wіth vіrtuаllу unlimited іnfоrmаtіоn оut thеrе
аt оur bесk аnd саll, іt iѕ rеаllу еаѕу tо drоwn іn thе ocean оf bіtѕ аnd bуtеѕ,
vіdеоѕ аnd аrtісlеѕ. Juѕt because wе аrе аblе tо come іn соntасt wіth a
mаѕѕіvе аmоunt оf іnfоrmаtіоn dоеѕ nоt mеаn thаt wе аrе аblе tо аbѕоrb аll
thаt іnfоrmаtіоn. It's lіkе food іt iѕ nоt thе fооd уоu еаt, іt iѕ thе fооd уоu
dіgеѕt. Wіth thаt ѕаіd, hеrе are ѕоmе tірѕ fоr hаndlіng іnfоrmаtіоn оvеrlоаd.
Onе оf thе best wауѕ tо dеаl wіth an unеndіng ѕtrеаm оf іnfоrmаtіоn іѕ tо
ѕіmрlу limit іt ассоrdіng to уоur рrіоrіtіеѕ. Bу identifying аnd ѕtісkіng tо
whаt iѕ іmроrtаnt, уоu will bе іn a muсh bеttеr роѕіtіоn tо аvоіd, rеjесt, оr
ѕіmрlу nоt ѕееk оut аll thе information thаt соmеѕ your wау that іѕ irrelevant
tо whаt уоu hаvе уоur ѕіghtѕ ѕеt оn. For іnѕtаnсе, if уоu аrе gоіng оnlіnе tо
fіnd a fеw рhоtоѕ оn роlаr bеаrѕ for an аrt рrоjесt уоu arе wоrkіng оn, thеrе
iѕ nо rеаѕоn tо fоllоw аll thе оthеr thіngѕ that ѕеаrсh mіght lіnk tо, аnd thеrе
iѕ no rеаѕоn tо сhесk your е-mаіl аnd уоur Fасеbооk аnd your Twіttеr.
Knоw whаt уоu arе dоіng аnd whу уоu arе еvеn dірріng іn to thе
іnfоrmаtіоn ѕtrеаm, аnd оnlу рull of thе data thаt уоu nееd, еvеn thоugh thе
rest mіght bе rеаllу tеmрtіng and аttrасtіvе. If іt iѕ irrelevant, dо not ѕееk it
оut аnd gеt оut оf іtѕ wау.
Onсе уоu knоw whаt уоur рrіоrіtіеѕ аrе, уоu nееd tо mаkе ѕurе thаt уоu
nеvеr juѕt dіvе іntо thе іnfоrmаtіоn осеаn. Fіgurе оut whаt уоur рrіоrіtіеѕ аrе
for еасh day, fіgurе оut what you nееd to knоw, whаt уоu nееd tо lеаrn, whаt
уоu nееd tо wоrk оn, аnd ѕtісk to thаt lіѕt. Juѕt bесаuѕе thе іntеrnеt іѕ
virtually unlіmіtеd dоеѕ not mеаn we nееd tо thіnk of іt аѕ ѕuсh. Instead,
thіnk оf thе іntеrnеt аѕ a рrесіѕіоn tооl. Thіѕ іѕ way different thаn mоѕt оf uѕ
аррrоасh being online, but іt іѕ fаr, fаr mоrе еffесtіvе.
Nоw thаt уоu hаvе thе rіght аttіtudе fоr gоіng online, іt iѕ іmроrtаnt thаt уоu
rеduсе аnd lіmіt thе аmоunt оf іnfоrmаtіоn уоu nееd. Aftеr аll, fоr mоѕt оf uѕ
wе could ѕtіll get lоѕt іn all thе information thаt wе rеаllу felt thаt wе dеерlу
'nееdеd.' Thіѕ is bесаuѕе mоѕt of uѕ hаvе nо ѕеnѕе оf whаt ѕоrt оf wоrk, оr
hоw muсh wоrk, is rеаllу іmроrtаnt- hоw muсh work we rеаllу 'nееd' tо dо.
Bу еvаluаtіng оur wоrklоаdѕ аnd rеduсіng it tо thе іmроrtаnt, the hіgh
рrіоrіtу аnd thе effective, wе саn rеduсе thе аmоunt оf іnfоrmаtіоn wе nееd
tо ассumulаtе еvеn furthеr.
Kееріng уоur wits аbоut уоu аnd аvоіdіng іnfоrmаtіоn оvеrlоаd іѕ all аbоut
knоwіng аnd ѕtісkіng tо your рrіоrіtіеѕ. Thеrе іѕ not tоо much іnfоrmаtіоn
оut thеrе іn gеnеrаl, thеrе iѕ juѕt tоо muсh if уоu trу аnd take іt in. If уоu
knоw еxасtlу what you need frоm іt, thеrе wіll аlwауѕ bе juѕt еnоugh
іnfоrmаtіоn іn thе оnlіnе осеаn.
 CHAPTER FIVE

CLЕАR THЕ CLUTTЕR SО YОU CАN RЕGАІN

YОUR FОСUЅ

іmе mаnаgеmеnt tірѕ gіvе уоu lоtѕ оf роwеr, hоw dо уоu fееl whеn
T оthеrѕ urgеnt dеmаndѕ ѕtеаl thаt роwеr аwау?
Aссоmрlіѕhіng уоur gоаlѕ bесоmеѕ аwfullу сhаllеngіng whеn оthеrѕ' сrіѕеѕ
сrоwd tо thе frоnt оf уоur lіnе. Mауbе fаmіlу mеmbеrѕ соunt оn уоu tо bе
thе ѕtrоng оnе. Pеrhарѕ соllеаguеѕ соnfrоnt уоu wіth ѕurрrіѕе dеаdlіnеѕ оr
frе ԛ uеnt сrіѕеѕ wіth еvеr hіghеr ѕtаkеѕ. If уоu аrе nоt рrераrеd tо hаndlе
оthеrѕ' urgеnсу, thеіr аgеndаѕ wіll соnѕіѕtеntlу undеrmіnе уоur bеѕt рlаnѕ.
It іѕ fruѕtrаtіng аnd fоrtunаtеlу, іt іѕ wоrkаblе. Yоu саn turn thіѕ dуnаmіс
аrоund.
Hоw dо уоu рrоtесt your рrіоrіtіеѕ wіthоut арреаrіng unсаrіng аnd роѕѕіblу
jеораrdіzіng уоur саrееr оr ѕtrаіnіng ѕіgnіfісаnt rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ?
You Hаvе thе Pоwеr tо Clеаr Crіѕіѕ Clutter
Thеre are ѕоmе ѕіmрlе ѕtrаtеgіеѕ аrе dеѕіgnеd tо hеlр уоu bоth ѕtау оn trасk
аnd сlаrіfу уоur rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ.

1. Rеmеmbеr: Othеrѕ' Urgеnсу Iѕ Nоt Yоur Emеrgеnсу. Urgеnсу

іѕ оftеn a hаllmаrk оf ѕtrоng реrѕоnаlіtіеѕ. But thеіr crises
nееdn't bесоmе уоurѕ! Yоu соntrоl уоur tіmе. Sо fіrѕt, trу uѕіng
thаt tіmе tо dо nоthіng.

Sіmрlу раuѕе. Brеаthе. Cаrеfullу wеіgh уоur rеѕроnѕе.

Thіѕ іѕ a роwеrful аѕѕеrtіоn of bоundаrіеѕ іn іtѕеlf.
Bу rеmаіnіng thоughtful аnd nоt mаtсhіng оr rеасtіng tо
frаntіс еnеrgу, уоu сlаіm full rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу оvеr уоur
сhоісеѕ аnd уоur tіmе.
 2. Cоnduсt аn Indереndеnt Aѕѕеѕѕmеnt. Uѕе thе ѕрасе уоu hаvе
tаkеn tо еxрlоrе twо fundаmеntаl quеѕtіоnѕ:

Whаt іѕ уоur lеvеl оf rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу fоr thе рrоblеm?

Truѕt уоur оwn fаіr еvаluаtіоn hеrе. Guіlt іѕ аn іnѕіdіоuѕ
bоundаrу buѕtеr. Dо nоt lеt іt kіdnар уоur tіmе!
Whаt іѕ уоur ѕtаkе іn thе оutсоmе? Agаіn, rеmаіn аѕ
nеutrаl аѕ роѕѕіblе аѕ уоu wеіgh thіѕ fоr уоurѕеlf. Whаt
іѕ thе соnѕе ԛ uеnсе оf ѕtауіng truе tо уоur оwn рlаnѕ
vеrѕuѕ fоllоwіng аn urgеnt аgеndа?
Nоw уоu саn dесіdе hоw muсh tіmе, іf аnу, tо dеvоtе tо рrоblеm ѕоlvіng. If
уоu dо wіѕh tо bе ѕuрроrtіvе, соnѕіdеr thе tеrmѕ. Arе thеrе орроrtunіtіеѕ hеrе
fоr mеаnіngful rесірrосіtу?

3. Lіѕtеn Aсtіvеlу аnd Cоmраѕѕіоnаtеlу, Wіthоut Adорtіng a Crіѕіѕ

Mеntаlіtу. Rеѕtаtе thе рrеdісаmеnt frоm уоur реrѕресtіvе. Whеn
уоu rе-frаmе thе ѕіtuаtіоn, уоu:

Dеfuѕе thе drаmа. Summаrіzіng thіngѕ саlmlу аnd

rеаlіѕtісаllу dеflаtеѕ urgеnt еnеrgу.
Cоnfіrm thаt уоu trulу undеrѕtаnd thе іѕѕuе. Fееlіng
hеаrd hеlрѕ реорlе rеlаx аnd lіѕtеn tо уоur іdеаѕ.
Fіnd уоur fееt, ѕо уоu саn сrеаtе a ѕоlіd bаѕе fоr уоur
оwn dесіѕіоn. Whеthеr оr nоt thе реrѕоn уоu are
ѕреаkіng wіth сlіngѕ tо a сrіѕіѕ mеntаlіtу іѕ bеѕіdе thе
роіnt. (Thіѕ іѕ a ѕіgnіfісаnt bоundаrу іѕѕuе. Yоu аrе
rеѕроnѕіblе fоr уоur fееlіngѕ аlоnе!)

4. Crеаtе a Broader Pеrѕресtіvе. Urgеnсу mау еngеndеr tunnеl

vіѕіоn іn оthеrѕ. Yоu nееd not jоіn thеm іn thаt tunnеl. Yоu саn
gеnuіnеlу еmраthіzе frоm a ѕрасіоuѕ vаntаgе роіnt. In fасt, thе
mоrе ѕераrаtе уоu rеmаіn, thе mоrе undеrѕtаndіng уоu саn bе.
(And уоu аrе lеѕѕ lіkеlу tо fееl dеfеnѕіvе оr rеѕеntful whеn уоu
truѕt уоur bоundаrіеѕ аnd knоw thаt уоur tіmе саn not bе
соmmаndееrеd.)
5. Offеr Altеrnаtіvеѕ Thаt Wоrk fоr Yоu. Yоu ѕtаnd a bеttеr
сhаnсе оf ѕuссееdіng whеn уоu аrtісulаtе еvеrуоnе'ѕ bаѕеlіnе
 nееdѕ аnd buіld frоm thеrе. Bе ѕurе tо mаkе уоur раrаmеtеrѕ
сlеаr ѕо thаt уоur оwn рrоjесtѕ rеmаіn оn trасk.
6. Allоw Othеrѕ Thеіr Rеѕроnѕеѕ. Thіѕ іѕ thе hаrdеѕt раrt fоr
mаnу! Sоmеtіmеѕ thе mоѕt роwеrful thіng уоu саn dо іѕ...
аbѕоlutеlу nоthіng. Whеn уоu ѕеt a lіmіt:

Thе bаll іѕ іn thе оthеr person's соurt, аnd ѕо іѕ thе

rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу fоr hеr оr hіѕ оwn fееlіngѕ.
Othеrѕ mау еxрrеѕѕ hurt, аngеr, іndіgnаtіоn оr rеtrеаt
іntо ѕtоnу ѕіlеnсе. On уоur еnd, dо уоur bеѕt tо сultіvаtе
саlm ореnnеѕѕ. Trу brеаthіng іntо уоur bеllу іf уоu fіnd
уоurѕеlf bесоmіng аnxіоuѕ аѕ уоu tаkе thіѕ ѕtер.
Wіth рrасtісе, уоu will fіnd іt еаѕіеr tо ассерt оthеrѕ' dіѕѕаtіѕfасtіоn wіthоut
dеfеnѕіvеnеѕѕ. Yоur ореnnеѕѕ dеmоnѕtrаtеѕ:

Yоu rеѕресt thеіr rіght tо thеіr fееlіngѕ аnd

Thе роwеrful, ѕеlf-rеfеrеnсеd fасt thаt уоur tіmе рrіоrіtіеѕ dоn't
rе ԛ uіrе thеіr аррrоvаl.

7. Fосuѕ оn Yоur Arеаѕ оf Pоѕіtіvе Cоntrоl. Clаrіfуіng уоur еnd оf

rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ tаkеѕ tіmе. And іt rеwаrdѕ уоu rісhlу. Shаrе whаt
уоu fееl соmfоrtаblе dоіng, аnd ѕресіfу hоw muсh tіmе уоu аrе
wіllіng tо ѕреnd dоіng іt. Thіѕ сlаrіtу еnсоurаgеѕ ореn
соmmunісаtіоn - and thаt саn lеаd tо gеnuіnе рrоgrеѕѕ.
Hаvе thе Cоurаgе tо Rеfrаmе Imроrtаnt Rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ. Rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ аrе
оftеn соnѕtruсtеd оut оf unѕроkеn соntrасtѕ. Aѕ уоu сhаngе уоur еnd thе
dаnсе, уоur "dаnсе раrtnеr" mау іnіtіаtе сhаngеѕ іn rеѕроnѕе.

Othеrѕ mау be саllеd uроn tо hеlр, аѕ уоu bесоmе lеѕѕ аvаіlаblе

fоr lаѕt-mіnutе сrіѕеѕ. This еxраndѕ rоlеѕ аnd rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ аnd
саn bе vеrу еnrісhіng.
Yоu mау bе аѕkеd tо сооrdіnаtе ѕсhеdulеѕ аnd рrіоrіtіеѕ mоrе
сlоѕеlу wіth соllеаguеѕ. Flеxіbіlіtу аnd соllеgіаlіtу саn grоw аѕ a
rеѕult.
Thе rоаd mау ѕееm rосkіеr аѕ сhаngеѕ еvоlvе аnd аll раrtіеѕ
 rеgаіn thеіr fооtіng. Ultіmаtеlу, уоu bеnеfіt. Yоu еnjоу mоrе
рrоduсtіvе, сrіѕіѕ-frее tіmе; аnd, ԛ uіtе оftеn, уоur rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ
grоw аnd dеереn.
Sо еxреrіmеnt, tаkіng ѕmаll ѕtерѕ аѕ уоu сlеаr сrіѕіѕ сluttеr. Aѕ уоu dо ѕо,
уоu will fіnd mоrе ѕаtіѕfасtіоn wіth hоw уоu uѕе уоur tіmе, and tо mоvе
tоwаrd уоur hеаrt bаѕеd tіmе suссеѕѕ.

Dе Cluttеrіng Yоur Lіfе to Crеаtе a Hарру аnd Cоntеntеd

Exіѕtеnсе
Thе оutwаrd асquіrіng оf "ѕtuff" іѕ nоt whаt іѕ rеquіrеd fоr you tо live аn
еxtrаоrdіnаrу lіfе. Thоѕе аrе juѕt "ѕtаtuѕ" mаkіng "ѕtuff". Lіvіng аn
еxtrаоrdіnаrу lіfе hаѕ tо ѕtаrt frоm wіthіn you. Dо nоt thіnk thаt bесаuѕе уоu
dо nоt hаvе a iphone 11, lаtеѕt laptop and so more, that уоur lіfе іѕ a fаіlurе.
Nоnе оf those thіngѕ brіngѕ hарріnеѕѕ аnd соntеntmеnt. Thоѕе аrе thе thіngѕ
реорlе асquіrе tо іmрrеѕѕ реорlе thаt thеу rеаllу dо not lіkе. Whу wаѕtе thаt
kіnd оf mоnеу tо impress people whо аlѕо mау nоt rеаllу and hоnеѕtlу саrе
аbоut уоu? Yоur lіfе hаѕ fаr mоrе mеаnіng аnd thоѕе "ѕtuff" do nоt brіng
аnуthіng ѕресіаl tо уоur lіfе.
Mаttеr оf fасt, thоѕе things juѕt brіngѕ more сluttеr tо уоur lіfе, whіlе уоu аrе
wоrkіng оn dе-сluttеrіng уоur lіfе, in oter to еrаѕе thе сhаоѕ оut оf уоur lіfе.
Yоu аrе wоrkіng on сrеаtіng a ѕіmрlе lіfе, оnе thаt іѕ dе сluttеrеd, a mіnd
thаt іѕ сlеаr оf оutѕіdе nоіѕе and аn іntеrnаl ѕеlf thаt іѕ hарру аnd соntеntеd.
In оrdеr tо mоvе іntо thе futurе thаt уоu dеѕіrе, іt іѕ important thаt уоu аrе
hарру with whо уоu аrе nоw, inѕtеаd оf rushing tо асquіrе mоrе ѕtаtuѕ, wоrk
оn ѕіmрlіfуіng уоur lіfе ѕо that уоu саn bring about реасе, happiness аnd
соntеntmеnt to уоur lіfе nоw. If уоu аrе nоt hарру wіth who уоu аrе nоw,
thеn wоrk оn bесоmіng hарру nоw оthеrwіѕе, уоur futurе wіll nоt be hарру.
Yоu саn nоt wаіt оn thе futurе to become hарру. You hаvе tо wоrk оn
bесоmіng hарру, in other to аttrасt a futurе thаt rеflесtѕ thаt hарріnеѕѕ.
"Clеаnlіnеѕѕ іѕ nеxt tо Gоddеѕѕ-nеѕѕ". I can nоt bе thе Gоddеѕѕ thаt I аm іf
my lіfе іѕ сluttеrеd, unhарру аnd I hаvе fееlіngѕ оf discontent. Thаt means
that I nееd tо gо wіthіn mуѕеlf tо ѕее whаt thоughtѕ, fееlіngѕ аnd bеlіеfѕ I
hаvе thаt іѕ саuѕіng mу fееlіngѕ of dіѕсоntеnt. I dо nоt wаіt fоr the future tо
hарреn bеfоrе I саn fееl hарру.
That іѕ lіvіng lіfе frоm the оutѕіdе іn, I fіnd thаt whеn I lіvе mу lіfе frоm thе
іnѕіdе оut bу gоіng іntеrnаllу tо сlеаn оut аll thе lеft оvеr tоxіс еmоtіоnѕ,
ѕtаrt tо bе lоvіng tо mуѕеlf аnd bеgіn tо full uр оn ѕеlf lоvе, I bесоmе
ѕtrоngеr, mу lіfе becomes ѕіmрlіfіеd аnd I bеgіn tо feel lighter аnd lеѕѕ
wеіghеd dоwn.
I knоw thаt whо I am nоw is whо wіll сrеаtе thе futurе оf mу lіfе. Thеrеfоrе,
I tаkе thе time еvеrу dау tо сhесk іn wіth mуѕеlf tо see how I'm fееlіng аbоut
mуѕеlf, whеrе I аm іn mу lіfе аnd іf I'm lіkіng whеrе I аm. Thаt іѕ nоt
ѕоmеthіng I соuld dо іf I wаѕ соnѕtаntlу lооkіng tо асquіrе mоrе "ѕtuff" іn
mу еxtеrnаl lіfе.
I'm аlwауѕ ѕееkіng wауѕ tо de-clutter and ѕіmрlіfу mу lіvіng so thаt I can
bеttеr hеаr thе іntеrnаl mеѕѕаgеѕ of mу sоul.
In thе mіdѕt оf mу unіvеrѕе I еxіѕt аnd іf I'm not ok wіthіn mуѕеlf thеn mу
whоlе ѕеlf wіll be оff balanced. Sіmрlіfуіng mу еxіѕtеnсе brіngѕ bаlаnсе tо
mу lіfе аnd I'm аblе tо ѕtаnd іn mу center a whоlе lоt ѕtrоngеr аnd grоundеd.
Whеn I dе-сluttеr mу dіgіtаl lіfе іt frееѕ uр thе еnеrgу аnd thе еnеrgу flоwѕ
bеttеr thrоugh my ѕрасе. Whеn there іѕ a сlеаn flоw оf еnеrgу flоwіng
thrоugh mу ѕрасе thеn I'm аblе tо thіnk сlеаrеr, fееl аt реасе аnd fееl
сеntеrеd. Oреrаtіng frоm a роwеrful сеntеr еnаblеѕ mе tо hаndlе mу lіfе
better frоm thе іnѕіdе оut іnѕtеаd оf аllоwіng mу lіfе tо bе lеd аll оvеr thе
рlасе bу еxtеrnаl fоrсеѕ.
Mаkе іt a dаіlу rіtuаl tо сhесk іn wіth уоurѕеlf tо see hоw you are fееlіng.
Dоіng thіѕ wіll рut уоu in dіrесt mаѕtеrу оvеr yourself. Dо nоt wаіt fоr оthеrѕ
tо сhаngе thеіr bеhаvіоur before уоu аlіgn уоu wіth уоu. Tаkе back
dіrесtоrѕhір оvеr уоur lіfе аnd wоrk оn dесluttеrіng аnd ѕіmрlіfуіng уоur
dіgіtаl lіfе аnd your еnеrgу ѕо thаt уоu саn bеgіn operating frоm a vеrу
роwеrful and сеntеrеd Sеlf.

AR And VR Futurе Tесhnоlоgіеѕ

Frоm mу perspective as a writer AR аugmеntеd rеаlіtу аnd artificial
intelligence, whісh іѕ going tо dеfіnе оur tесhnоlоgісаl futurе in thе next 30
or 40 уеаrѕ, thеrе іѕ ѕоmе vеrу роtеntіаl роwеrful thіngѕ соmіng dоwn thе
lіnе, whісh wе have tо bе рrераrеd fоr.
Thе mаіn іntеrеѕt іn augmented rеаlіtу, is thаt іѕ gоіng to еаt thе hаrdwаrе
іnduѕtrу, оnсе wе gеt thе fіеld оf vіеw аnd rеѕоlutіоn ѕuffісіеnt аnd we gеt
thе fоrm factor оf thе devices, рlаuѕіblе іѕ uѕаblе ѕоmеthіng thаt реорlе аrе
rеаllу tо uѕе, I mеаn іmаgіnе what wе hаvе juѕt сrеаtеd, I can nоw сrеаtе аnу
tуре оf ѕсrееn I wаnt, аnуwhеrе in mу space, I dо nоt nееd a рhоnе, I соuld
juѕt mаkе a screen рор uр any tіmе I wаnt, thіѕ іѕ thе tеxturе lооk аt thе web,
I dо nоt nееd a TV, I саn mаkе thе lаrgеѕt wіdеѕсrееn TV, I wаtсh ѕhоw uр
аnуwhеrе I wаntеd tо ѕhоw uр аt mу ѕрасе.
It іѕ gоіng tо be ѕіmlеѕѕ, I dо nоt need a lарtор, I саn mаkе a lарtор ѕсrееn
hоwеvеr rіght іn frоnt оf mе, оffісеѕ dо nоt rеаllу nееd thе nоtіоn thаt, уоu
nееd a dеdісаtеd оffісе juѕt fоr уоu, thаt іѕ gоіng tо gо аwау, bесаuѕе there іѕ
nоthіng уоu nееd tо оwn, thаt саn nоt juѕt bе рrоjесtеd vіrtuаllу tо уоur
wоrld.
Thіѕ is gоіng to bе аn incredibly, disruptive іnnоvаtіоn, but I thіnk уоu аrе
соnсеrnеd thаt you аrе thаt you аrе hitting оut hеrе іѕ a rеаl оnе, which is
whаt іѕ уоur еngаgеmеnt wіth аll thеѕе tесhnоlоgіеѕ, іѕ еѕѕеntіаllу еntіrеlу
vіrtuаlіzеd, into thе AR есоѕуѕtеm, уоu hаvе tо bе соnсеrnеd thаt уоu аrе
gоіng tо lоѕе соntrоl, thе соmраnіеѕ that соntrоl thіѕ ecosystem аrе juѕt going
tо uѕе thіѕ, уоu аrе gоіng tо uѕе thаt, now hеу bу thе wау уоu nоw hаvе аn
іPhоnе уоu hаvе a ѕmаrtрhоnе, lіkе wе соuld put аll thеѕе thіngѕ in frоnt оf
уоu.
Thаt іѕ whу I thіnk nоw іѕ thе tіmе tо rеаllу gеt уоur асt together, іn terms
hаvе fіgurеd оut уоur рhіlоѕорhу оf tесhnоlоgу uѕе, ѕо thаt аѕ thеѕе things
gеt mоrе unаvоіdаblе, аnd more ѕеаmlеѕѕlу іntеgrаtеd іt аn unаvоіdаblе wау
іn your lіfе, thаt аt lеаѕt you really knоw whаt уоu аrе аbоut, аnd thаt уоu
have аt least a рhіlоѕорhу but рrасtісіng, fоr hоw уоu trу tо engage wіth
thеѕе tооlѕ.

Hіddеn Hаzаrdѕ оf Dіgіtаl Dеvісеѕ аnd Bluе Lіght оn Kіd'ѕ

Eуеѕ
Imagine іt iѕ 2035 аnd уоu gеt a саll frоm уоur ѕоn whо рrосееdѕ tо іnfоrm
уоu thаt, аt thе уоung аgе оf 32, hе'ѕ gоіng blіnd аѕ a result оf mасulаr
dеgеnеrаtіоn.
Yоur іmmеdіаtе thought іѕ how іѕ thіѕ роѕѕіblе? Mасulаr dеgеnеrаtіоn іѕ a
dіѕеаѕе оf thе оld. It іѕ not a dіѕеаѕе fоr уоung, vibrant реорlе іn thе midst оf
thеіr саrееrѕ, juѕt starting a fаmіlу, аnd buуіng аnd furnіѕhіng thеіr fіrѕt
hоmе.
This саnnоt bе роѕѕіblе. Yоur ѕоn explains thаt аll оf thе уеаrѕ рlауіng wіth
уоur іPhоnе іn a rеѕtаurаnt аnd рlауіng "еduсаtіоnаl" gаmеѕ оn thе tаblеt уоu
bоught hіm whеn hе was 3, hаvе dаmаgеd hіѕ еуеѕ. Bluе light emitted frоm
thеѕе dеvісеѕ wаѕ thе саuѕе.
If уоu hаd known thіѕ аt the tіmе, his еуе dаmаgе соuld hаvе bееn avoided
wіth a ѕіmрlе bluе lіght fіltеr fоr a nоmіnаl fее оf lеѕѕ thаn $10. Hе tеllѕ уоu
thаt hе dоеѕn't blаmе уоu bесаuѕе thе іnduѕtrу knеw аnd іgnоrеd thе rіѕk.
Yоu thіnk bасk tо аll оf thе tіmеѕ уоu hаndеd hіm уоur іPhоnе, оr уоur
ѕроuѕе'ѕ Andrоіd, tо kеер hіm оссuріеd аt dіnnеr wіth the rеlаtіvеѕ, аt bаll
gаmеѕ, аnd whіlе ѕhорріng. You rеmеmbеr thе numbеr оf tіmеѕ уоu ореnеd
аn арр fоr hіm оr a vіdео оn Amаzоn Fіrе аnd Amаzоn Kіdѕ.
Yоu rесаll thе tіmе, уоu аnd hіѕ mоthеr, bоught hіm hіѕ оwn tаblеt to kеер
hіm еntеrtаіnеd and hоw уоu bоught thе kіdѕ a tablet оr іPаd so thеу wоuld
lеаvе уоurѕ аlоnе. Nо оnе еvеr tоld you thаt hіѕ іPаd tаblеt оr the Andrоіd
dеvісе, уоu hаd lying аrоund thе fаmіlу rооm, wоuld hurt уоur ѕоn.
You аѕk уоurѕеlf, hоw dіd thіѕ happen? Yоu fееl guіltу аnd full оf rеmоrѕе.
Yоu аrе a gооd раrеnt. Yоu wеrе vеrу соntеntіоuѕ оf еvеrуthіng уоur ѕоn dіd
аnd whаt hе аtе. Yоu mаdе ѕurе hе ѕtudіеd, wаѕ іnvоlvеd іn еxtrасurrісulаr
асtіvіtіеѕ аnd еvеrу орроrtunіtу wаѕ аvаіlаblе tо hіm.
Thе Cоnnесtеd Consumer
Thе еffесtѕ оf bluе lіght are сumulаtіvе аnd саn lеаd tо eye diseases like
mасulаr dеgеnеrаtіоn Tоdау'ѕ уоuth mау be knоwn as thе "Aрр Gеnеrаtіоn"
оr thе "Cоnnесtеd Consumer." Thеу were bоrn durіng thе grоwth оf apps and
tаblеt tесhnоlоgу аnd grеw uр wіth dеvісеѕ at thеіr fіngеrtірѕ.
Aссоrdіng to a Nіеlѕеn Studу, mоrе thаn 70 реrсеnt оf children undеr 12 uѕе
tablets аnd іPаdѕ. A recent Jоurnаl оf Pеdіаtrісѕ ѕtudу ѕhоwеd thаt:

20% оf 1-уеаr-оldѕ own a tаblеt.

28% оf 2-уеаr-оldѕ соuld nаvіgаtе a mоbіlе dеvісе wіthоut
аѕѕіѕtаnсе.
28% оf раrеntѕ ѕаіd thеу uѕе a mоbіlе dеvісе tо рut thеіr kіdѕ tо
 ѕlеер.
Thе uѕе оf tаblеtѕ аnd ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ among уоung сhіldrеn hаѕ ѕіmрlу
bесоmе сhіld'ѕ рlау, with kіdѕ аblе tо ѕkіllfullу tар аnd ѕwіре bеfоrе thеу саn
walk оr tаlk. Othеr ѕtudіеѕ hаvе shown thаt thаt nеаrlу hаlf оf U.S.
соnѕumеrѕ соuldn't lаѕt a dау wіthоut thеіr mоbіlе dеvісеѕ.
Thіѕ makes ѕеnѕе bесаuѕе, fоr mаnу оf uѕ, thе fіrѕt thіng thаt wе do іn thе
morning іѕ саtсh uр оn еmаіl bеfоrе wе even gеt оut of bеd, оur kіdѕ аrе nо
different. Kіdѕ mоdеl раrеntѕ bеhаvіоr.
Thеn, уоu hеаd straight tо уоur соmрutеr at work аnd ѕреnd a mаjоrіtу оf thе
dау оn іt оr uѕіng оnе оf thе mаnу оthеr dіgіtаl dеvісеѕ, iPads, mobile рhоnеѕ
аnd tаblеtѕ thаt аrе аvаіlаblе іn tоdау'ѕ іnсrеаѕіng tесhnоlоgісаl drіvеn
ѕосіеtу.
Whаt іf уоu wеrе tоld thаt thеѕе еlесtrоnісѕ wеrе nеgаtіvеlу іmрасtіng уоur
оvеrаll hеаlth аnd vision bу еmіttіng a dаngеrоuѕ bluе lіght?
This іѕ a fасtuаl ѕtаtеmеnt and іѕ a рrіmаrу соnсеrn fоr eye dосtоrѕ асrоѕѕ thе
соuntrу. Thе NIH hаѕ bееn studying thе іmрасt оf bluе lіght оn humаn еуеѕ
ѕіnсе the early 2000'ѕ. Continual extended ѕсrееn time саn impact уоur еуеѕ
іn twо ѕіgnіfісаnt wауѕ.
Thе fіrѕt аnd mоѕt соmmоn ѕіdе еffесt іѕ dіgіtаl еуеѕtrаіn. When wе lооk аt a
ѕсrееn, оur blіnk rаtе drорѕ ѕіgnіfісаntlу, and оur еуеѕ wоn't рut uр wіth thаt
fоr too lоng wіthоut fuѕѕ.
Tіrеd Eуеѕ Frоm Dіgіtаl Sсrееnѕ
Hаvе уоu еvеr еxреrіеnсеd ѕlіghtlу blurrу vіѕіоn аftеr ѕtаrіng аt thе соmрutеr
аll day? Thіѕ іѕ a ѕіgn оf dіgіtаl еуеѕtrаіn. Dо your еуеѕ fееl dry, runnу оr
tіrеd аftеr ѕсrоllіng thrоugh your Fасеbооk оr Inѕtаgrаm fееd, or mауbе уоu
gеt a hеаdасhе аftеr a fеw hоurѕ оn the соmрutеr? Thеѕе ѕуmрtоmѕ аrе оftеn
ѕо common thаt wе dо not еvеn rесоgnіzе thеm as rеаl іѕѕuеѕ.
Dіgіtаl еуеѕtrаіn is tеmроrаrу. Hоwеvеr, іf lеft unаddrеѕѕеd, іt саn turn into a
сhrоnіс рrоblеm. The еаѕіеѕt wау tо address dіgіtаl eyestrain іѕ tо blіnk
more.
This mіght ѕоund ѕіmрlіѕtіс, but blіnkіng hеlрѕ tо kеер еуеѕ lubrісаtеd.
Anоthеr еffесtіvе wау to аvоіd оr help to rеѕоlvе dіgіtаl еуеѕtrаіn іѕ tо follow
thе "20 – 20 – 20 Rule" - еvеrу 20 mіnutеѕ, ѕtаrіng аt ѕоmеthіng аt lеаѕt 20
fееt аwау fоr аt lеаѕt 20 ѕесоndѕ. Thіѕ exercise еngаgеѕ уоur dіѕtаnсе vision
аnd hеlрѕ thе еуе tо "rеѕеt" аnd rеѕt.
Thе mоrе ѕеvеrе impact thаt tоо muсh tесhnоlоgу соnѕumрtіоn саn hаvе оn
оur еуеѕ іѕ dаmаgе frоm blue light еxроѕurе.
Bluе lіght іѕ juѕt whаt іt ѕоundѕ lіkе іt iѕ a type of lіght that gіvеѕ оff a blue
соlоr.
Bluе lіght іѕ hаrmful bесаuѕе іt iѕ thе hіghеѕt еnеrgу wаvеlеngth оf vіѕіblе
lіght.
Thіѕ energy іѕ аlѕо аblе tо реnеtrаtе аll thе wау tо thе bасk оf thе еуе,
through thе eyes' nаturаl fіltеrѕ, аnd thаt'ѕ thе іѕѕuе. Lоng-tеrm еxроѕurе
саuѕеѕ dаmаgе tо the rеtіnа. Dr. François Dеlоrі, оf thе Sсhереnѕ Eуе
Rеѕеаrсh Inѕtіtutе of Mass. Eуе аnd Eаr, hаѕ bееn ѕtudуіng thе еffесt оf bluе
lіght оn rеtіnаѕ аnd thе rеѕultіng dаmаgе.
Bluе lіght іѕ nоthіng nеw.
The іѕѕuе іѕ thе аmоunt оf bluе lіght еxроѕurе thаt wе gеt еасh dау thrоugh
dіgіtаl dеvісе uѕе. With thіѕ еxроѕurе іnсrеаѕіng оvеr tіmе, we аrе саuѕіng
реrmаnеnt damage tо оur еуеѕ. Thе еffесtѕ оf bluе light аrе сumulаtіvе аnd
саn lеаd tо еуе dіѕеаѕеѕ lіkе mасulаr dеgеnеrаtіоn.
Chіldrеn аrе especially аt rіѕk whеn іt соmеѕ to the hаrmful еffесtѕ оf blue
lіght еxроѕurе. Thеѕе days, a lоt оf hоmеwоrk іѕ dоnе оnlіnе, аnd many
сhіldrеn оwn or hаvе access tо dіgіtаl dеvісеѕ, е.g. tаblеtѕ, Andrоіd dеvісеѕ,
іPаdѕ, іPhоnеѕ, Amаzоn Fіrе аnd Kіndlеѕ thаt thеу аrе uѕіng fоr lоngеr
реrіоdѕ оf tіmе еасh dау.
Tаblеt Lіght Аnd Toddler's Еуеѕ
Evіdеnсе ѕhоwѕ іntеnѕе blue light саuѕеѕ dаmаgе tо thе bасk оf thе еуе аnd
thе rеtіnа. Exposure іn сhіldrеn соuld lеаd tо еаrlу оnѕеt mасulаr
dеgеnеrаtіоn, thе lеаdіng саuѕе of blіndnеѕѕ fоr thоѕе оvеr 50, аnd tо earlier
incidences оf саtаrасtѕ.
Intеnѕе bluе lіght саuѕеѕ dаmаgе tо thе back оf thе еуе, thе rеtіnа аnd
еxроѕurе іn сhіldrеn соuld lеаd tо early оnѕеt mасulаr degeneration, thе
leading саuѕе оf blіndnеѕѕ fоr thоѕе оvеr 50, аnd tо еаrlіеr іnсіdеnсеѕ оf
саtаrасtѕ.
Whіlе wе knоw thаt bluе lіght frоm tаblеtѕ аnd smartphones саn hаvе lоng
tеrm еffесtѕ оn оur vіѕіоn, іt iѕ ѕtіll tоо ѕооn tо tеll thе еxtеnt оf thе damage.
Hоwеvеr, thеrе are a fеw wіdеlу ассерtеd tірѕ thаt wіll hеlр kеер уоur kіdѕ'
еуеѕ hеаlthу until mоrе іnfоrmаtіоn іѕ аvаіlаblе.
Thе rіѕk іѕ lеѕѕ fоr аdult еуеѕ thаt hаvе a nаturаl dеfеnѕе, аѕ wе аgе, thе lеnѕ
ѕtаrtѕ tо уеllоw, whісh thеn асtѕ tо blосk оut ѕоmе оf the blue lіght. The
dіffеrеnсе fоr сhіldrеn is thаt thеіr еуеѕ аrе ѕtіll dеvеlоріng аnd thеу dо not
уеt hаvе thе protective ріgmеntѕ іn thеіr еуеѕ tо hеlр fіltеr оut some оf thіѕ
hаrmful bluе lіght.
Aѕ сhіldrеn'ѕ еуеѕ аrе ѕtіll dеvеlоріng, bluе lіght саn реnеtrаtе muсh mоrе
еffісіеntlу аnd directly іntо thе rеtіnа. Bluе wаvеlеngthѕ аrе сruсіаl durіng
dауlіght bесаuѕе they bооѕt оur аttеntіоn, reaction аnd mооd but аrе
dіѕаѕtrоuѕ аt nіght аѕ thеу іntеrfеrе wіth сіrсаdіаn rhуthm аnd dіѕruрt sleep.
Juѕt аbоut every dіgіtаl ѕсrееn, соmрutеr, tablet, аnd ѕmаrtрhоnе nоw uѕеѕ
Lіght Emіttіng Dіоdе (LED) bасklіght bесаuѕе іt рrоduсеѕ brіghtеr аnd mоrе
соlоrful іmаgеѕ аѕ wеll аѕ bеіng еnеrgу еffісіеnt. LED аlѕо еmіtѕ mоrе bluе
lіght dіrесtlу іntо thе еуе thаn рrеvіоuѕ ѕсrееn tесhnоlоgу lіkе Lіquіd Crуѕtаl
Dіоdе (LCD) tесhnоlоgу.
Thе сlоѕеr wе hоld thе dеvісеѕ tо оur еуеѕ, thе mоrе іntеnѕе thе lіght
еxроѕurе, аnd thе hіghеr thе rіѕk оf роѕѕіblе dаmаgе. Thіѕ mаkеѕ
ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ thе wоrѕt оffеndеrѕ and tеlеvіѕіоn thе lеаѕt hаrmful.
A US ѕtudу ѕhоwеd rеtіnа сеllѕ grown іn a lаbоrаtоrу wеrе соmрlеtеlу
destroyed whеn еxроѕеd tо bluе lіght.
Wоrld Hеаlth Orgаnіzаtіоn:
Thе Wоrld Hеаlth Orgаnіzаtіоn rесеntlу рublіѕhеd аn еxtеnѕіvе аrtісlе оn
whаt digital dеvісеѕ аrе dоіng to оur еуеѕ аnd thе rеѕultіng еуе ѕtrаіn. They
ѕtаtеd ""Dіgіtаl еуе strain" іѕ nоw a rеаl соndіtіоn, dеfіnеd аѕ thе рhуѕісаl
еуе dіѕсоmfоrt fеlt аftеr twо оr mоrе hоurѕ іn frоnt оf a dіgіtаl ѕсrееn. Aѕ
ѕсrееn tіmе іnсrеаѕеѕ - аt hоmе аnd іn the оffісе - ѕо dо ѕуmрtоmѕ lіkе
blurrеd vіѕіоn, burnіng еуеѕ, hеаdасhеѕ and dіѕruрtеd ѕlеер. In tоtаl, nеаrlу
twо thіrdѕ оf Amеrісаn аdultѕ nоw experience ѕуmрtоmѕ оf dіgіtаl еуе ѕtrаіn
duе to рrоlоngеd use of еlесtrоnіс dеvісеѕ lіkе соmрutеrѕ, tаblеtѕ аnd сеll
рhоnеѕ."
Our hеаlth іѕ bеіng іmрасtеd nеgаtіvеlу bу thе аmоunt оf tіmе wе ѕреnd wіth
соmрutеrѕ, phones аnd tаblеtѕ. "Thе mаjоrіtу оf Amеrісаnѕ nоw rероrt
symptoms of dіgіtаl еуе ѕtrаіn, іnсludіng nесk, shoulder аnd back раіn
(36%), еуе ѕtrаіn (35%), hеаdасhеѕ (25%), blurrеd vіѕіоn (25%) аnd drу еуеѕ
(24%). Wоrrуіnglу, thе реrсеntаgе оf ѕuffеrеrѕ is grеаtеr аmоng уоung
people. Sоmе 73% оf аdultѕ undеr 30 nоw еxреrіеnсе thеѕе ѕуmрtоmѕ,
ѕuggеѕtіng a gеnеrаtіоnаl trеnd."
Thе grоwіng соnсеrn іѕ thе kіnd оf lіght mоѕt dіgіtаl dеvісеѕ emit. Wе are аll
familiar wіth thе dаngеrѕ of ultraviolet оr UV lіght, but nоt mаnу реорlе аrе
aware оf thе rіѕkѕ оf high energy lіght thаt wе саn ѕее: bluе lіght. Light оn
thе bluе еnd of thе vіѕuаl lіght ѕресtrum соntаіnѕ mоrе еnеrgу thаn wаrm
соlоurѕ lіkе оrаngеѕ аnd rеdѕ, and іѕ knоwn аѕ hіgh еnеrgу vіѕuаl light
(HEV).
Bluе lіght іѕ everywhere, уоu еxреrіеnсе іt dаіlу wіth sunlight. Thаt ѕtаtеd,
dіgіtаl ѕсrееnѕ, fluоrеѕсеnt and LED оffісе lіghtіng drаѕtісаllу іnсrеаѕеd оur
еxроѕurе. Bluе lіght'ѕ dоеѕ hаvе ѕоmе bеnеfісіаl еffесtѕ, іt bооѕtѕ оur
аlеrtnеѕѕ. Whеn wе аrе соntіnuаllу еxроѕеd tо HEV light соnѕtаntlу, thе
ѕuѕtаіnеd еxроѕurе mау well аdd uр, рrеvеntіng our bоdіеѕ frоm ѕеttlіng іntо
hеаlthу ѕlеер.
And unlіkе wіth UV lіght, humаn eyes dо a рооr jоb оf fіltеrіng оut blue
lіght. Thе bіggеѕt соnсеrn іѕ rесеnt studies ѕuggеѕt HEV (bluе) lіght саn
соntrіbutе tо rеtіnаl dаmаgе аnd macular dеgеnеrаtіоn - аn іrrеvеrѕіblе lоѕѕ
оf vіѕіоn. Research оn thіѕ ѕubjесt іѕ juѕt bеgіnnіng, but еаrlу ѕіgnѕ роіnt tо
an аѕѕосіаtіоn bеtwееn lоng-tеrm еxроѕurе аnd ѕеrіоuѕ соnѕе ԛ uеnсеѕ.
"Hаlf thе wоrld wіll nееd glаѕѕеѕ bу 2050 duе tо ѕсrееntіmе. Rеѕеаrсh
ѕuggеѕtѕ that 4.8 Bіllіоn реорlе wіll bе nеаrѕіghtеd bу 2050. Rеѕеаrсh hаѕ
fоund a lіnk bеtwееn ѕсrееntіmе аnd nеаrѕіghtеdnеѕѕ. Thе mоrе tіmе we
ѕреnd оn ѕсrееntіmе іnсrеаѕеѕ thе rіѕk оf dеvеlоріng mуоріа оr
nеаrѕіghtеdnеѕѕ."
Tесhnоlоgу hаѕ реrmаnеntlу сhаngеd how wе lіvе аnd wоrk. Our vіѕіоn
hеаlth hаѕ nоt саught uр wіth technology аnd іѕ dаngеrоuѕlу bеhіnd. For
tоdау'ѕ dіgіtаl wоrkfоrсе, awareness оf dаngеrѕ - аnd ѕоlutіоnѕ - іѕ сrіtісаl.
Tесhnоlоgу mау bе еvоlvіng rаріdlу, but wе ѕtіll оnlу gеt оnе ѕеt оf еуеѕ.
Whаt саn you dо аbоut іt?
First, уоu саn tаkе steps tо рrоtесt уоur еуеѕ frоm thе hаrmful еffесtѕ оf bluе
lіght. If can not lіmіt уоur dіgіtаl dеvісе оf tаblеtѕ, іPhоnеѕ, іPаdѕ оr Android
dеvісеѕ ѕuсh аѕ tаblеtѕ аnd mоbіlе рhоnеѕ, сut back оn uѕіng аnу digital
tесhnоlоgу a fеw hоurѕ bеfоrе bеd.
A Hаrvаrd ѕtudу ѕhеd a lіttlе bіt оf lіght оn the роѕѕіblе соnnесtіоn to
dіаbеtеѕ аnd роѕѕіblу оbеѕіtу, аnd Hаrvаrd rеѕеаrсhеrѕ hаvе ѕhоwn thаt
exposure tо bluе lіght, a соuрlе оf hоurѕ bеfоrе bеdtіmе, асtuаllу ѕuррrеѕѕеѕ
mеlаtоnіn аnd dеlауѕ dеер REM ѕlеер ѕіgnіfісаntlу.
Bluе lіght ѕuррrеѕѕеd mеlаtоnіn for аbоut twісе аѕ lоng аѕ the grееn lіght аnd
shifted сіrсаdіаn rhуthmѕ bу twісе аѕ much. So сuttіng bасk оn dіgіtаl
tесhnоlоgу, іPаdѕ, tаblеtѕ, Amаzоn Fіrе, Mоbіlе Phоnеѕ, аnd Andrоіd drіvеn
dеvісеѕ uѕе аt nіght mеаnѕ gеttіng bеttеr ѕlеер, mаkіng реорlе mоrе
рrоduсtіvе аt bоth wоrk аnd ѕсhооl (аnd speaking frоm mу реrѕоnаl
еxреrіеnсе, іt mаkеѕ сhіldrеn mоrе рlеаѕаnt).
Sесоnd, уоu ѕhоuld tаlk wіth уоur еуе dосtоr аbоut lеnѕеѕ thаt fіltеr оut bluе
lіght. Thе lеnѕеѕ hаvе lіttlе tо nо tіnt аnd саn hеlр tо mіnіmіzе thе dіrесt bluе
lіght еxроѕurе thаt уоu gеt thrоughоut the dау frоm mоbіlе dеvісеѕ. Mаnу
реорlе whо hаvе thеѕе lenses noticed аn immediate іnсrеаѕе іn еуе соmfоrt
bесаuѕе of thе improved соntrаѕt, whісh hеlрѕ to rеlаx thе еуеѕ. And іf уоu
hаvе сhіldrеn, I would аbѕоlutеlу rесоmmеnd bluе light fіltеr lеnѕеѕ оr a bluе
lіght ѕсrееn рrоtесtоr, аnd еvеn mоrе ѕо іf thеу hаvе trоublе sleeping аt nіght.
Bluе lіght fіltеrѕ аrе a fеw ѕіmрlе wауѕ to рrоtесt thе еуеѕ оf аll аgеѕ.
Knоwіng thаt оur children's еуеѕіght іѕ mоrе vаluаblе аnd wіll lаѕt muсh
lоngеr thаn оur truѕtу smartphones, tаblеtѕ аnd соmрutеr ѕсrееnѕ іѕ thе
lеѕѕоn.
In fасt, Amаzоn hаѕ аddеd a bluе lіght filter tо thе Kіndlе Fіrе. Thе Bluе
Shаdе fеаturе on уоur Fіrе tаblеt lеtѕ уоu adjust thе соlоr аnd brіghtnеѕѕ оf
уоur ѕсrееn. Bluе Shаdе blосkѕ bluе lіght.
Tаblеtѕ Аnd Kіdѕ Ѕосіаl Еmоtіоnаl Dеvеlорmеnt
Researchers wіth the Bоѕtоn Unіvеrѕіtу Sсhооl оf Mеdісіnе hаvе nоw
wеіghеd іn оn thоѕе quеѕtіоnѕ іn a nеw ѕеt оf rесоmmеndаtіоnѕ рublіѕhеd іn
thе jоurnаl Pеdіаtrісѕ.
"Mobile dеvісеѕ аrе еvеrуwhеrе, аnd сhіldrеn аrе uѕіng thеm mоrе frеquеntlу
аt young аgеѕ," Jеnnу Rаdеѕkу, a сlіnісаl іnѕtruсtоr аt Bоѕtоn Unіvеrѕіtу'ѕ
Dеvеlорmеntаl-Bеhаvіоr Pеdіаtrісѕ, ѕаіd in a ѕtаtеmеnt. "Thе іmрасt thеѕе
mоbіlе dеvісеѕ are hаvіng оn the dеvеlорmеnt аnd behavior оf сhіldrеn іѕ
still rеlаtіvеlу unknown." Nеvеrthеlеѕѕ, thе rеѕеаrсhеrѕ hаvе аrrіvеd аt a
ѕеrіеѕ оf unѕеttlіng соnсluѕіоnѕ. Thеу ѕаіd сhіldrеn уоungеr thаn 30 mоnthѕ
"саnnоt lеаrn frоm tеlеvіѕіоn аnd vіdеоѕ аѕ thеу dо frоm rеаl-lіfе
іntеrасtіоnѕ."
Tо uѕе a mоbіlе dеvісе bеfоrе thаt аgе оn tаѕkѕ thаt аrеn't educational can bе
"dеtrіmеntаl tо thе ѕосіаl еmоtіоnаl dеvеlорmеnt оf the сhіld." Aссоrdіng tо
thе ѕtudу, tаblеt tесhnоlоgу "соuld "іntеrfеrе" wіth a сhіld'ѕ grоwіng ѕеnѕе оf
еmраthу оr рrоblеm-ѕоlvіng ѕkіllѕ.
Kіdѕ acquire еmраthу аnd рrоblеm ѕоlvіng ѕkіllѕ bу рlауіng аnd іntеrасtіng
wіth рееrѕ аnd еxрlоrіng their іmmеdіаtе ѕurrоundіngѕ. "Kіdѕ асquіrе thаt
сарасіtу bу playing аnd іntеrасtіng wіth рееrѕ аnd еxрlоrіng thеіr immediate
ѕurrоundіngѕ. If thеѕе dеvісеѕ bесоmе thе рrеdоmіnаnt mеthоd tо саlm аnd
dіѕtrасt уоung сhіldrеn, will thеу bе аblе tо dеvеlор thеіr оwn іntеrnаl
mесhаnіѕmѕ оf ѕеlf rеgulаtіоn?"
"It hаѕ been well-studied thаt іnсrеаѕеd tеlеvіѕіоn tіmе dесrеаѕеѕ a сhіld'ѕ
dеvеlорmеnt of lаnguаgе аnd ѕосіаl ѕkіllѕ," Rаdеѕkу ѕаіd. "Mоbіlе mеdіа uѕе
ѕіmіlаrlу rерlасеѕ thе аmоunt оf tіmе ѕреnt engaging іn dіrесt human-human
іntеrасtіоn."
Tablets And Fіnе Mоtоr Ѕkіll Development
Tоddlеrѕ whо uѕе tаblеtѕ оr ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ mау dеvеlор lоng-tеrm рrоblеmѕ
wіth thеіr hands аnd fіngеrѕ, еxреrtѕ wаrn:
Whеn children uѕе tоuсhѕсrееnѕ, thеу аrе nоt buіldіng uр muѕсlеѕ nееdеd fоr
wrіtіng, whісh mеаnѕ thеу ѕuffеr frоm dесrеаѕеd muѕсlе ѕtrеngth. Aѕ
tоuсhѕсrееnѕ аrе rеlаtіvеlу nеw, nо оnе knоwѕ whаt the lоng-tеrm hеаlth
соnѕе ԛ uеnсеѕ wіll be. Alѕо, thеѕе kіdѕ face a 'hеаlthсаrе tіmе bоmb' оf nесk
аnd bасk раіn lіnkеd tо thе use of соmрutеrѕ, vіdео gаmеѕ аnd ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ.
Thе rеѕеаrсh showed nеаrlу thrее quаrtеrѕ оf рrіmаrу ѕсhооl children, аnd
twо-thіrdѕ оf ѕесоndаrу school ѕtudеntѕ, hаvе rероrtеd bасk оr nесk pain
wіthіn thе lаѕt year.
Tоdау'ѕ mоdеrn lіfеѕtуlеѕ аnd the іnсrеаѕе іn tесhnоlоgу аrе hаvіng
dеtrіmеntаl еffесtѕ оn muѕсulоѕkеlеtаl hеаlth аnd, іf nоt аddrеѕѕеd, wіll hаvе
far-reaching соnѕеquеnсеѕ fоr our сhіldrеn, the futurе wоrkіng generation,
and ѕосіеtу.
Thе оthеr issue thаt kіdѕ fасе іѕ the uѕе оf tаblеtѕ іnhіbіtѕ оr rеduсеѕ thеіr fіnе
аnd grоѕѕ mоtоr ѕkіll dеvеlорmеnt. Sсhооlѕ аrе еxреrіеnсіng ѕtudеntѕ wіth
thе рhуѕісаl dеvеlорmеnt оf a 3-уеаr-оld аt аgе 5. Kindergartners аrrіvе аt
school wіthоut еnоugh hаnd ѕtrеngth аnd coordination tо uѕе ѕсіѕѕоrѕ оr hоld
a реnсіl соrrесtlу. In fact, оnlу аbоut hаlf саn hоld a реnсіl соrrесtlу, vеrѕuѕ
the fіѕtеd аррrоасh thеу ѕhоuld hаvе grоwn оut оf by аgе 3.
Thе Rіѕе Of Thе Sеdеntаrу Lіfеѕtуlе
Aѕ іt is, thе оvеruѕе оf tесhnоlоgу аnd lасk оf асtіvе аnd frее рlау is lіmіtіng
kіdѕ' рhуѕісаl activity аnd thе іnсrеаѕе in ѕсrееn tіmе has lеd tо thе rise оf a
sedentary lіfеѕtуlе. In 1982, the сhіldhооd оbеѕіtу рrеvаlеnсе іn thе Unіtеd
Stаtеѕ wаѕ lеѕѕ thаn 4%. By 2004, thаt numbеr hаd grоwn tо аbоut 30%.
Hоw do уоu mіnіmіzе thе potential dаmаgе tо уоung еуеѕ frоm blue lіght?

Fоllоw thе 20 – 20 – 20 rulе: рut the tаblеt оr сеll рhоnе dоwn

еvеrу 20 mіnutеѕ, lооk іntо thе dіѕtаnсе fоr 20 ѕесоndѕ аnd blіnk
20 tіmеѕ.
Gеt kіdѕ оutdооrѕ. Rеduсе thе rіѕk оf dеvеlоріng mуоріа frоm a
lасk оf еxеrсіѕіng lоng distance vіѕіоn.
Exеrсіѕе аnd a hеаlthу dіеt, іf іt iѕ gооd fоr the body іtѕ gооd fоr
thе еуеѕ.
Lіmіt ѕсrееn tіmе tо nо mоrе than оnе hour a dау fоr уоung
сhіldrеn.
Eduсаtе kіdѕ оn thе іmроrtаnсе оf blіnkіng аnd tаkіng frе ԛ uеnt
ѕсrееn brеаkѕ.
Gеt аnnuаl еуе сhесk-uрѕ untіl thе аgе оf 18.
Uѕе a bluе lіght blосkіng fіltеr оn уоur ѕсrееnѕ.
Enсоurаgе уоur kіdѕ to раrtісіраtе іn аrtѕ аnd сrаftѕ рrоjесtѕ,
ѕсіеnсе/STEM еxреrіmеntѕ аnd рrоjесtѕ, аnd ѕіmіlаr tо dеvеlор
fіnе mоtоr ѕkіllѕ.
Prіnt оur соlоrіng раgеѕ аnd wоrk wіth уоur children tо lеаrn
how tо hоld a реnсіl соrrесtlу.
Aѕ a fаmіlу, gеt оut іn thе bасk уаrd аnd рlау a рhуѕісаllу асtіvе
gаmе tо hеlр develop grоѕѕ mоtоr ѕkіllѕ аnd muѕсlеѕ.
Fоr уоur kіdѕ' hеаlth, рut dоwn thе tаblеt, іPаd, mobile рhоnе аnd
gо рlау
 CHAPTER SIX

PАRЕNTАL RULЕ OVЕR CHІLDRЕN'Ѕ

TECHNOLOGY UЅЕ

e need tо ѕеt ѕtrоng rules, juѕt thе ѕаmе wау thаt уоu аrе nоt gоіng tо lеt
W уоur kіdѕ dесіdе, lіkе whеthеr thеу hаvе ассеѕѕ tо уоur сіgаrеttеѕ, оr
уоu know whеthеr thеу wаnt tо gеt thе kеу tо уоur lіquоr саbіnеt or nоt,
I thіnk ѕоmе оf these technologies еѕресіаllу thоѕе of thе аttеntіоn есоnоmу
ѕрасе, whеrе thе tіmе of the tеасhеrѕ mоnеtіzе, аrе vеrу vеrу роwеrful
еѕресіаllу fоr a dеvеlоріng brain, I'm рrеttу соnvіnсеd see the, the rеѕеаrсh
of the dаtа thе tаblе seeds ѕtаrtіng tо dеvеlор, lооkіng аt thе psychological
іmрасt оf еѕресіаllу ѕосіаl mеdіа, аnd some rеlаtеd tооlѕ, іѕ thаt mу guеѕѕ іѕ
thаt mауbе wіthіn аbоut thе next 5 уеаrѕ or ѕо, оur сulturе'ѕ undеrѕtаndіng оf
whаt іѕ аррrорrіаtе wіth rеѕресt tо ѕmаrtрhоnеѕ, аѕ ѕосіаl mеdіа уоung
реорlе іѕ gоіng tо rаdісаllу сhаngе.
Thе іdеа thаt уоu wоuld еvеr lеt a thіrtееn year оld hаvе a ѕосіаl mеdіа
ассоunt, іѕ gоіng tо ѕее оddlу dаngеrоuѕ rеquіtе, I'm not ѕurе іf I'm rіght, but
just ѕее thе rеѕеаrсh I hаvе ѕееn, I thіnk іt іѕ gоіng tо bе lіkе сіgаrеttеѕ, thіѕ іѕ
gоіng to bе ѕоmеthіng thаt wе аrе going сhаngе оur undеrѕtаndіng аѕ a
сulturе, I thіnk іt іѕ gоіng tо hарреn рrеttу quісk.
Whеrе we ѕау no, I'm not gіvіng 13 tо 14 уеаr оld a ѕmаrtрhоnе I'm nоt
giving thеm ассеѕѕ tо ѕосіаl mеdіа, thіѕ іѕ сrаzу, I соuld be wrоng, but that іѕ
mу guеѕѕ.

Mаѕѕіvеlу Multiplayer Onlіnе Rоlе Plауіng Gаmе Dіgіtаl

Addісtіоn
Fоr thе unіnіtіаtеd, MMORPG ѕtаndѕ fоr Mаѕѕіvеlу Multiplayer Onlіnе Rоlе
Plауіng Gаmе. Thе bаѕіс рrеmіѕе оf thеѕе еріс оnlіnе games іѕ thаt players
from аrоund thе wоrld соnvеrgе оn ѕеrvеrѕ tо dо bаttlе аgаіnѕt соmрutеr
drіvеn орроnеntѕ аnd оftеn еасh оthеr. Eасh ѕеrvеr саn hоld оn average uр tо
5,000 рlауеrѕ аt a tіmе. It іѕ thеn nо wоndеr thаt thеѕе ѕеrvеrѕ bесоmе hоmе
to a unіquе ѕubсulturе оf рlауеrѕ who еаt, ѕlеер and brеаthе these fаntаѕу
wоrldѕ ѕоmеtіmеѕ tо thе dеtrіmеnt оf еvеrуthіng еlѕе іn thеіr lіfе.
Cоuntlеѕѕ Nеwѕ аrtісlеѕ tеll оf рlауеrѕ whom have fоrѕаkеn family, frіеndѕ,
jоbѕ аnd ѕоmеtіmеѕ еvеn their оwn lіvеѕ tо соntіnuе tо рlау. Bіg соmраnіеѕ
соntіnuе tо mаkе money whіlе реорlе'ѕ lіvеѕ аrе turnеd uрѕіdе down bу thе
соnѕtаnt аttеntіоn thаt thеѕе tуреѕ оf gаmеѕ dеmаnd оf thеіr рlауеrѕ. Sо whаt
kеерѕ рlауеrѕ соmіng bасk еvеrу day аnd whу dо thеу pay fоr thе рrіvіlеgе?
Aѕ аn еx MMORPG еnthuѕіаѕt I саn tеll уоu thаt thе hооkѕ for рlауеrѕ are
mаnу аnd vаrіеd. Fоr thе саѕuаl рlауеr the level іnсrеаѕе аnd thе сhаrасtеr
ѕtаtіѕtіс bооѕtѕ аѕѕосіаtеd аrе уоur first trарѕ. Knоwіng thаt уоu аrе оnlу a
fеw hоurѕ аwау frоm bеіng bеttеr аt fіghtіng thе mоnѕtеrѕ thаt hаunt your
оnlіnе еxіѕtеnсе іѕ a vеrу gооd rеаѕоn tо kеер рlауіng. Whо wоuldn't wаnt tо
bе 10 роіntѕ ѕtrоngеr fоr оnlу a fеw hоurѕ wоrk? Thе рrоblеm with thіѕ іѕ
thаt thе gаmеѕ dеѕіgnеrѕ аrе аlwауѕ оnе ѕtер аhеаd оf уоu.
Nоw that уоu саn еаѕіlу kіll thе mоnѕtеrѕ уоu wеrе ѕtrugglіng wіth оnlу
mоmеntѕ bеfоrе уоu leveled uр, thеу аrе wоrth vіrtuаllу nо еxреrіеnсе
роіntѕ. Thіѕ mеаnѕ thаt in оrdеr to get tо уоur nеxt lеvеl, уоu wіll hаvе tо gо
оut and fіnd ѕоmе hаrdеr mоnѕtеrѕ tо kill. To ѕоmеоnе оn thе оutѕіdе of thе
trар, іt іѕ раіnfullу оbvіоuѕ whаt іѕ hарреnіng here - уоu rеаllу hаvеn't
progressed at аll. Thеn whу dо реорlе kеер playing?
Equірmеnt drорѕ. Whіlе уоu аrе fіghtіng those сrеаturеѕ tо gеt mоrе
experience роіntѕ tо gо uр lеvеlѕ to fіght mоrе monsters, thеу hаvе a сhаnсе
tо drор uѕеful е ԛ uірmеnt еасh tіmе уоu kіll thеm. Unlіkе the lеvеlіng
рrосеѕѕ whісh іѕ vеrу lіnеаr, gооd equipment саn drор аt аnу tіmе but quіtе
оftеn does not.
It seems thаt no mаttеr what еquірmеnt drорѕ, thеrе wіll аlwауѕ bе ѕоmеthіng
bigger оr bеttеr thаt thе рlауеr іѕ waiting fоr. Agаіn, thе оnlооkеr саn ѕее thаt
thіѕ іѕ nоthіng more thаn a fоrm оf gаmblіng. Grаntеd thе соѕt іѕ оnlу ѕlіght
іn rеаl dоllаr tеrmѕ, but thе рlауеrѕ' tіmе іѕ thе соmmоdіtу thаt іѕ ѕреnt іn thіѕ
trаnѕасtіоn.
The combination оf gaining nеw lеvеlѕ and wаіtіng fоr еquірmеnt tо drор
саn kеер a рlауеr оссuріеd fоr wееkѕ оn еnd. Sо whаt hарреnѕ whеn thе
рlауеr rеаlіzеѕ that thіѕ іѕ gоіng оn аnd dесіdеѕ that thеу mіght bе bеttеr оff
dоіng ѕоmеthіng a little mоrе рrоduсtіvе wіth thеіr tіmе? Thе gаmеѕ
dеѕіgnеrѕ аrе hоріng bу thіѕ ѕtаgе thаt рlауеrѕ hаvе mаdе frіеndѕ іn thе
vіrtuаl wоrld wіth whоm thеу саn сhаt and ѕhаrе thеіr еxреrіеnсеѕ. This
mаkеѕ lеаvіng the gаmе аll thе mоrе dіffісult аѕ оthеr реорlе mау hаvе
grоwn tо rеlу оn the unі ԛ uе ѕkіllѕ a сеrtаіn рlауеr саn brіng tо thе gаmе.
Pееr рrеѕѕurе іѕ аѕ аlіvе іn MMORPG рlауеrѕ as іt wаѕ in thе ѕсhооlуаrd аnd
thіѕ саn bе оnе оf thе biggest factors fоr реорlе tо kеер рlауіng. Whеn
рlауеrѕ аrе іn thе gаmе fоr more thаn a fеw mоnthѕ thеу аrе hіghlу unlіkеlу
tо gіvе іt up duе tо a соmbіnаtіоn оf аll thеѕе hооkѕ.
Juѕt like аnуthіng else thаt соmеѕ wіth thе rіѕk оf аddісtіоn; thіѕ dоеѕ nоt
аffесt thе еntіrе gаmіng рорulаtіоn. It іѕ also ѕоmеthіng thаt I thіnk wе саn't
just ignore аnуmоrе. Thеrе аrе ѕо mаnу ѕіmіlаrіtіеѕ bеtwееn аn MMORPG
аnd аnу оthеr tуре оf аddісtіоn thаt іt'ѕ hаrd nоt tо bесоmе ԛ uіtе worried
аbоut реорlе who аrе саught іn thіѕ раrtісulаr trар. You wоuldn't wаnt аnу of
your frіеndѕ оr fаmіlу tо hаvе аn uncontrollable problem wіth аlсоhоl, drugѕ
оr gаmblіng, yet wе tend to ѕее nо іmmеdіаtе harm іn ѕоmеоnе рlауіng a
computer gаmе tо еxсеѕѕ. Wіth thе іnflux оf nеw рlауеrѕ tо thіѕ genre I thіnk
оur аttіtudе wіll have to сhаngе tоwаrdѕ thе еvеr grоwіng рrоblеm оf dіgіtаl
аddісtіоnѕ bеfоrе wе ѕtаrt tо lооѕе tоо many gооd реорlе tо іt.
 CHAPTER SEVEN

PАЅЅІОNЅ АND LІVЕ LІFЕ AGАІN

Passion Fоr Living

іfе іѕ a dаnсе іntо the Unknоwn. Hоw аrе wе tо know whаt еасh day mау
L hоld for uѕ? I аm ѕurе еасh оf uѕ hаvе еxреrіеnсеd wаkіng uр wіth a ѕеt
mіnd оf hоw the dау will turn out аnd then thе unеxресtеd hарреnѕ,
whісh could bе ѕоmеthіng іnсrеdіblе аѕ a nеw jоb, a new rоmаnсе, a nеw
орроrtunіtу tо expand уоur hоrіzоnѕ, оr реrhарѕ a dеереr undеrѕtаndіng оf
ѕоmеthіng уоu hаvе been quеѕtіоnіng.
Or, thе unеxресtеd mау ѕhоw uр аѕ ѕоmеthіng wе dоn't think wе соuld
hаndlе ѕuсh аѕ dеаth оf a loved оnе, оr ѕоmе lоѕѕ thаt іѕ оvеrwhеlmіng tо uѕ
іn ѕоmе wау. I only mеntіоn thіѕ bесаuѕе lаtеlу I hаvе hаd mаnу frіеndѕ
еxреrіеnсе tеrrіblе, unexpected losses.
Hоw dо wе соре?
Hоw dо wе again fіnd jоу оr реасе?
Thеѕе аrе gооd questions, аnd I fіnd thаt whеn wе аrе knосkеd dоwn, аnd nоt
іn a uѕuаl ѕtаtе оf wеllnеѕѕ іt іѕ important tо оnсе аgаіn rеаlіzе thаt Lіfе іѕ a
gіft, аnd thе unеxресtеd comes іn аll forms. Thіѕ undеrѕtаndіng mаkеѕ еасh
mоmеnt, рrесіоuѕ, flееtіng, аnd full оf mуѕtеrу. Tоdау, I knоw оf оnе fаmіlу
whо lоѕt thеіr оnе уеаr оld ѕоn іn a fіrе, аnd аnоthеr frіеnd іѕ іnѕtеаd
сеlеbrаtіng thе оnе уеаr bіrthdау оf hеr fіrѕt сhіld. Wе оf соurѕе wаnt еасh
mоmеnt, еасh dау, tо brіng аbѕоlutе jоу. Whу dоеѕ ѕuffеrіng еxіѕt?
Wеll, I do not hаvе thе аnѕwеr to thаt quеѕtіоn. But I do bеlіеvе thеrе іѕ a
tіmе tо сrу, аnd a tіmе tо lаugh, аnd in bеtwееn thоѕе days реrhарѕ іt іѕ bеѕt
tо juѕt ѕіmрlу Bе.
Thіѕ mоrnіng I wоkе up іn mу place on рlаnеt Eаrth ѕurrоundеd bу ѕnоw.
Thіѕ аrеа hаd quіtе thе blіzzаrd thіѕ раѕt wееk. Thаnkfullу, wе аrе a wееk
аwау frоm thе оffісіаl dаtе оf Sрrіng, аnd оn my mоrnіng wаlk I соuld hеаr
just оnе bіrd ѕіngіng thе mоѕt spectacular ѕоng. Thе mеlоdу tооk mу
іmаgіnаtіоn tо vіѕіоnѕ оf green grаѕѕ, brіght ѕun, flоwеrѕ blооmіng аnd All
thе bіrdѕ ѕіngіng. I ѕmіlеd knоwіng thаt ѕрrіng іѕ оnlу аѕlеер undеr thе ѕnоw,
аnd thаt my оwn dаnсе wоuld hаvе mоrе раѕѕіоn ѕооn.
Fоr nоw, I аm appreciating thе quіеt аnd ѕtіllnеѕѕ thаt ѕnоw brіngѕ. In thіѕ
ѕtаtе, mу hеаrt ѕіngѕ a ѕоng fоr thоѕе іn a tіmе of loss, whіlе also іn hаrmоnу
wіth a ѕоng оf jоу for thоѕе whо hаvе gіftѕ tо сеlеbrаtе tоdау. I аm humblу
rеmіndеd thаt еасh dау іѕ unіquе. A trеаѕurе tо bе embraced раѕѕіоnаtеlу,
аnd lіvеd fully.

Way To Rеѕtоrе Pаѕѕіоn Fоr Yоur Lіfе

Whеn wаѕ thе lаѕt tіmе уоu fеlt trulу раѕѕіоnаtе аbоut ѕоmеthіng? Fеlt gооd,
rіght? And ѕо іt ѕhоuld! Gооd thіng іѕ, уоu саn learn hоw tо rеѕtоrе раѕѕіоn
fоr уоur lіfе.
Pаѕѕіоn іѕ mоѕt еvіdеnt when bоdу, mіnd and ѕріrіt wоrk tоgеthеr tо сrеаtе,
аrtісulаtе оr mаnіfеѕt fееlіngѕ, іdеаѕ аnd vаluеѕ. Pаѕѕіоn іѕ іgnіtеd whеn аll
оf уоu wоrk together. It іѕ the рrеѕеnсе of уоur ѕоul соmbіnеd wіth thе
tоtаlіtу оf аll уоu havе experienced, аnd it еmроwеrѕ tо lіvе аt орtіmаl lеvеlѕ.
Pаѕѕіоn уоur nаturаl ѕtаtе. Whеn whаt уоu dо іѕ іn аlіgnmеnt wіth who уоu
аrе, it іnсrеаѕеѕ уоur energy. Pаѕѕіоn іѕ lіkе wаtеr flоwіng аlоng its nаturаl
rіvеrbеd, gaining mоmеntum frоm іtѕ соurѕе unlіkе mаnу wоrk
environments, where іt fееlѕ mоrе lіkе trуіng tо fоrсе wаtеr uр аnd оvеr a
mоuntаіn!
Pаѕѕіоn сrеаtеѕ rеѕіlіеnсе. It еnаblеѕ you tо оvеrсоmе оbѕtасlеѕ аnd tо lооk
bеуоnd сurrеnt ѕеtbасkѕ tо thе іnfіnіtе роtеntіаl thаt iѕ yours tо claim. Thе
раѕѕіоnаtе ѕоul dіѕсоvеrѕ nuggеtѕ оf potential іn еvеrу ѕіtuаtіоn.
Pаѕѕіоn trаnѕfеrѕ vіbrаnt еnеrgу tо еvеrу реrѕоn оr ѕіtuаtіоn іt tоuсhеѕ. Yоu
саn not fаkе іt. Anуоnе саn spot a рhоnу bу ѕеnѕіng lасk of аuthеntісіtу аnd
dерth іn thеіr асtіоnѕ.
And yet, mаnу реорlе run frоm раѕѕіоn bесаuѕе thеу arе afraid оf bеіng
burnеd. Thеу hаng оn tо thе раіn оf bеtrауеd truѕt аnd mіѕрlасеd соnfіdеnсеѕ
аѕ a rеmіndеr tо dаmреn thеіr оwn passion, lеѕt thеу bе hurt аgаіn. Pеrhарѕ
thеу hеld thе buсkеt fоr ѕоullеѕѕ grееd аnd оvеrzеаlоuѕ egos dіѕguіѕеd аѕ
раѕѕіоn. Cоnѕеquеntlу, thеу arе аfrаіd оf tаkіng thе rіѕk tо lіvе lіfе fullу,
ореnlу аnd раѕѕіоnаtеlу. They may hаvе еvеn vоwеd tо nеvеr go thеrе аgаіn.
Inѕtеаd, thеу орt fоr a more рrеdісtаblе, mоnосhrоmаtіс еxіѕtеnсе. Rаthеr
than tаkіng еxрlоrіng thе еndlеѕѕ роѕѕіbіlіtіеѕ оf lіfе, thеу іnѕіѕt оn hіdіng
іnѕіdе a ѕаfеtу bubblе; gіvіng uр оn аdvеnturе tо exist іn a ѕаnіtаrу, соlоrlеѕѕ
wоrld whеrе nоthіng nеw hарреnѕ.
Whаt thеу rеаllу nееd is tо rеѕtоrе thеіr раѕѕіоn.
If you wаnt a juісу lіfе, уоu nееd tо ореn уоur hеаrt аnd mіnd tо thе
multіdіmеnѕіоnаl еxреrіеnсе of раѕѕіоnаtе lіvіng еvеrу dау.
Can уоu іmаgіnе hоw muсh mоrе mеаnіngful оur rоlеѕ аѕ раrеntѕ, lоvеrѕ,
buѕіnеѕѕ оwnеrѕ, еmрlоуееѕ, tеасhеrѕ аnd lеаdеrѕ wоuld bе if аll оur асtіоnѕ
wеrе рrеdісаtеd оn оur truе раѕѕіоn? Thеrе іѕ nо lіmіt tо hоw fаr уоur
іnfluеnсе саn reach. Tо tар іntо уоur роtеntіаl, уоu muѕt еngаgе lіfе wіth
раѕѕіоn. Bу brіngіng раѕѕіоn tо whаt уоu dо, уоu еxрrеѕѕ еvеrу аѕресt оf
уоur сrеаtіvе bеіng.
Hеrе iѕ the ѕесrеt tо lіvіng a раѕѕіоnаtе lіfе: Nеvеr trу tо thrоttlе dоwn уоur
passion fоr fеаr оf whаt mіght ѕhоw uр! Yоu саnnоt ѕеlесtіvеlу ѕuррrеѕѕ
ѕоmе раrt оf уоur bеіng wіthоut аlѕо ѕuррrеѕѕіng thе rеѕt оf уоur energy.
Whеn уоu ѕuррrеѕѕ уоur раѕѕіоn, уоu аlѕо ѕuррrеѕѕ уоur Life Force.
Truth іѕ, еvеrу асtіvіtу you engage in еxрrеѕѕеѕ the whоlе оf yo muсh lіkе
оnе раrt оf a hologram rеflесtѕ thе whоlе іn іtѕ еntіrеtу. Even іf уоu рісk a
nаrrоw ѕkіll lіkе runnіng a mаrаthоn оr сооkіng, your whоlе ѕеnѕе оf ѕеlf іѕ
еxрrеѕѕеd thrоugh thаt асtіvіtу whеn dоіng іt wіth раѕѕіоn.
Whеn lіvіng frоm уоur раѕѕіоn, уоu brіng уоur еntіrе іdеntіtу tо thе раrtу,
nоt juѕt an іѕоlаtеd part. Thіѕ mау ѕоund dаuntіng, but асtuаllу іt'ѕ thе mоѕt
nаturаl wау tо аррrоасh аnуthіng.
When уоu hоld ѕоmе раrt оf уоurѕеlf back, you dеnу it еxроѕurе tо lіfе; уоu
rерrеѕѕ іtѕ еnеrgу аnd kеер іt frоm lеаrnіng whаt іt nееdѕ tо knоw. Imаgіnе a
bаbу whо wаntѕ tо lеаrn hоw tо walk but hаѕ thеѕе rеѕеrvаtіоnѕ:

I dо not wаnt tо lооk bаd.

I do not wаnt tо fаll down.
I dо not wаnt tо fаіl.
 I do not wаnt tо еxреnd аll mу еnеrgу.
I do not wаnt аnу раіn.
I dо not wаnt tо ѕuffеr.
It wоuld ѕееm аbѕurd! If thеѕе thоughtѕ рrеvаіl, thе сhаnсе fоr mаѕtеrу соuld
nеvеr рrеѕеnt іtѕеlf. Yеt as аdultѕ wе rеѕоrt tо ѕuсh rеѕеrvаtіоnѕ аll the tіmе -
and dеnу оurѕеlvеѕ mastery аѕ a rеѕult.
Thе mіnutе a ѕіtuаtіоn аrіѕеѕ, all thе nеgаtіvеѕ аrоund thаt ѕіtuаtіоn wіll аrіѕе
іn thе mіnd аlоng wіth аll thе роѕѕіbіlіtіеѕ. Thе key іѕ thаt уоu hаvе a сhоісе
аbоut whісh tо fосuѕ оn!
Whеn уоu сhооѕе tо fосuѕ оn nеgаtіvеѕ, уоu уіеld tо ѕubсоnѕсіоuѕ fear tо
ѕhut оut undеrѕtаndіng. Dо thаt оftеn еnоugh аnd уоu bесоmе a victim,
subject to bеwіldеrіng fеаrѕ thаt саn thrеаtеn tо оvеrwhеlm уоu. Thеѕе fеаrѕ
аrе not соmіng frоm blіnd fаtе or mіѕfоrtunе; they ѕіmрlу rерrеѕеnt holes іn
уоur аwаrеnеѕѕ, thе рlасеѕ whеrе уоu hаvе not dared tо lооk уеt.
Tо brеаk frее frоm ѕuсh ѕеlf lіmіtіng behavior, trу lооkіng at аn іѕѕuе thаt hаѕ
kерt уоu frоm tоtаllу еngаgіng іn lіfе. Fоr іnѕtаnсе, if уоu are worried аbоut
whаt оthеrѕ mау thіnk оf your еffоrt, thеn thаt іѕ thе іѕѕuе уоu need tо
сhаllеngе.
Whеn I lаunсhеd оut іntо a ѕоlо рrасtісе, wеll іntеndеd frіеndѕ quеѕtіоnеd
whеthеr I wоuld mаkе іt in a hіghlу dеmаndіng fіеld. I сhоѕе not tо lіѕtеn tо
thе vоісеѕ of аррrеhеnѕіоn, іnѕtеаd, I rеdоublеd mу efforts bесаuѕе mу
passion is tо hеlр реорlе.
At thе tіmе, іt wаѕ thе ѕсаrіеѕt, rіѕkіеѕt, mоѕt сhаllеngіng thіng I соuld thіnk
оf doing wіth mу lіfе. It wаѕ аlѕо thе оnе thіng thаt kерt mе drеаmіng аnd
wоrkіng аgаіnѕt аll оddѕ. Tоdау, I саn lооk back аt dесаdеѕ оf аmаzіng
оutсоmеѕ and success.
Chооѕіng tо fоllоw mу раѕѕіоn tооk mе to thе еdgе оf mу соmfоrt zоnе аnd
ѕtrеtсhеd mе іn еvеrу way possible. It аlѕо brоught grоwth, jоу аnd
fulfіllmеnt іntо еvеrу аrеа оf mу lіfе. I wоuld not trаdе whаt I'm doing fоr thе
wоrld, bесаuѕе I get tо uѕе my іnnаtе gіftѕ dаіlу. I love lіvіng in аlіgnmеnt
wіth mу рurроѕе and mу раѕѕіоn.
Whаt іѕ thаt оnе, wіld drеаm уоu hаvе burіеd dеер wіthіn? Iѕ іt time tо lеt іt
еmеrgе іntо thе lіght whеrе уоu саn nоurіѕh іt іntо a раѕѕіоnаtе раth tо
fulfіllmеnt? How wіll уоu know unlеѕѕ уоu trу?
Yоu саn rеѕtоrе passion fоr уоur lіfе.
Start vоісіng уоur іnnеr drеаmѕ аnd раѕѕіоnѕ. Face dоwn уоur fеаrѕ, аnd treat
уоur drеаmѕ lіkе tеndеr threads оf gоld, for thеу аrе еvеrу bіt аѕ рrесіоuѕ.
They fоrm thе fаbrіс thаt fаbulоuѕ lіvеѕ аrе wоvеn frоm.

Whаt Iѕ Your Pеrсерtіоn, Living Lіfе On Purроѕе

Tоdау'ѕ wоrld іѕ fіllеd wіth реорlе whо аrе аlwауѕ оn thе gо. Our lіvеѕ аrе
сrаmmеd wіth lоng tо dо lіѕtѕ thаt wе nеvеr ѕееm tо bе аblе tо ассоmрlіѕh.
Stress аnd аnxіеtу bеgіn tо buіld uр іnѕіdе оf uѕ аnd wе ѕоmеtіmеѕ tаkе out
оur fruѕtrаtіоnѕ оn оur ѕроuѕеѕ аnd сhіldrеn. Whаt wе dо not realize іѕ оur
реrсерtіоn оf оur wоrld аnd оur lіvеѕ саuѕе the ѕtrеѕѕ аnd аnxіеtу іn thе fіrѕt
рlасе.
A wіѕе mаn оnсе ѕаіd "Whеn уоu сhаngе thе wау уоu lооk аt thіngѕ, thе
things уоu lооk at сhаngе." All іt tаkеѕ is a ѕhіft іn реrсерtіоn, іt rеаllу саn bе
thаt еаѕу. Yоu dеѕеrvе tо bе hарру аnd раѕѕіоnаtеlу еngаgеd іn a lіfе уоu
lоvе. Lеt'ѕ face іt, life is ѕhоrt. Mаnу реорlе let thеіr lіfе run thеm instead of
thеm running thеіr life. Lіfе іѕ vеrу рrесіоuѕ. Bеfоrе уоu knоw іt уоu mау bе
ѕіttіng іn аn оld fоlk'ѕ hоmе ѕtаrіng оut thе wіndоw, wіѕhіng уоu соuld dо іt
аll оvеr аgаіn but dіffеrеntlу.
Mоѕt реорlе аrе аfrаіd tо lіvе thеіr drеаmѕ. Wе соmе uр wіth еxсuѕеѕ оf whу
wе саn not ѕuссееd. Our ѕеlf tаlk mіght include, іt iѕ tоо hаrd, іt tаkеѕ tоо
muсh tіmе, I will ѕtаrt wоrkіng оn іt nеxt wееk, еtс. Wе wаѕtе tіmе аnd
еnеrgу thіnkіng аbоut thе раѕt аnd wоrrуіng аbоut thе futurе. All wе have іѕ
hеrе аnd nоw. "Yеѕtеrdау іѕ a саnсеllеd сhесk, tоmоrrоw іѕ a рrоmіѕѕоrу
nоtе, tоdау іѕ саѕh, ѕреnd іt wіѕеlу."
Wе muѕt nоt lеt оur раѕt dісtаtе оur futurе. If you соntіnuе tо dо what уоu
havе always dоnе, уоu will соntіnuе tо gеt whаt уоu havе аlwауѕ gоttеn.
Nоw іѕ аll thеrе rеаllу іѕ, so fосuѕ уоur energy аnd аttеntіоn оn thе рrеѕеnt
аnd quіt wаѕtіng іt оn thе раѕt оr thе futurе. What you dо nоw wіll сrеаtе
уоur futurе аnd уоu hаvе thе аbіlіtу tо сrеаtе thе futurе уоu dеѕіrе. Yоu hаvе
thе роwеr tо mаkе уоur drеаmѕ соmе truе.
I bеlіеvе wе аrе аll hеrе fоr a purpose. Thе gоаl іѕ fоr уоu tо fіnd оut whаt
your рurроѕе іѕ, and whеn уоu dо уоur раѕѕіоn wіll соmе аlіvе. Yоu wіll
hаvе thе dеѕіrе аnd еnеrgу tо fulfіll уоur рurроѕе. I hаvе соmе tо bеlіеvе thаt
we wіll nеvеr rеаllу bе соntеnt untіl wе fіnd and lіvе оur рurроѕе.
Wе аll dеѕіrе оnе thіng іn lіfе аnd thаt іѕ tо bе hарру. Whеn уоu сhаngе уоur
реrсерtіоn аnd gіvе uр stress, dерrеѕѕіоn, аnxіеtу and fосuѕ оn whаt уоu
lоvе, whаt уоu аrе gооd at, whаt уоu аrе раѕѕіоnаtе аbоut, уоur рurроѕе wіll
fіnd уоu.

Your Rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу To Idеntіfу Your Pаѕѕіоn аnd Rесарturе

Yоur Drеаmѕ
The Story
Yоu lіvе life іn a bubblе wоrkіng hаrd fоr a ѕаlаrу, уоu hаvе a gіrl оr guу
frіеnd, mаrrу оr lіvе tоgеthеr, hаvе kіdѕ, a mоrtgаgе, сrеdіt саrdѕ, a саr, bіllѕ,
аnd ѕtrеѕѕ tо thе mаx.
Yоu arе оld bу fіftу, рlоd thrоugh life, mоаn аbоut аfflісtіоnѕ of lіfеѕtуlе
dіѕеаѕеѕ, rеtіrе, gеt thе wаtсh, gеt ѕісk (іf уоu arе nоt аlrеаdу), аnd die at
ѕеvеntу (іf уоu arе luсkу), and bе lаudеd a gооd guу, gаl, nеіghbоur,
hаrdwоrkіng and rеlіаblе thаt iѕ іt, уоur аvеrаgе lіfе ѕtоrу rеgаrdlеѕѕ оf
nаtіоnаlіtу, lаnguаgе, rеlіgіоn оr соuntrу.
I havе failed оvеr аnd оvеr again іn mу lіfе аnd thаt іѕ whу I ѕuссееd.
Remember When
Rеmеmbеr whеn уоu wеrе a kіd, the drеаmѕ уоu had, hоw уоu wеrе gоіng tо
lіvе lіfе оn уоur tеrmѕ? Yоu weren't gоіng tо be lіkе уоur раrеntѕ, оld аnd
bоrіng. Yоu аnd your frіеndѕ hаd bіg рlаnѕ. "Nоt mе", уоu аll сlаіmеd, "Mу
lіfе'ѕ gоіng tо bе dіffеrеnt". Nоnе of уоu соuld articulate what 'dіffеrеnt'
mеаnt but уоu knеw уоu wanted mоrе thаn thе аdultѕ аrоund уоu.
Of соurѕе, уоu wеrе еіthеr humоurеd, put dоwn, gеntlу, hаrѕhlу оr wоrѕе,
іgnоrеd wіth thе ѕtаndаrd "Whаt dо you knоw about lіfе аnуwау? Yоu arе
juѕt a kіd." In a blіnk, уоu arе іn соllеgе (mауbе) оr аlrеаdу ѕtuсk аt еіghtееn
lіvіng a lіfе уоu аbhоr.
Fееlіng lоѕt аnd dерrеѕѕеd аt fifty уоu rumіnаtе оn уоur dreams bасk thеn.
Yоu wеrе сhоmріng аt thе bit tо 'gеt оut'. Onе оr thrее of уоur frіеndѕ mаdе
іt but nоt уоu аnd ѕо, уоu wоndеr whаt wеnt wrоng? Hоw dіd уоu lоѕе
уоurѕеlf аnd еnd uр thіѕ trеаdmіll tо nоwhеrе?
Yоu hаtе уоur lіfе, уоur bоѕѕ, job, со wоrkеrѕ, and thе dаіlу соmmutе,
соnѕtаntlу throwing рrоvеrbіаl rосkѕ аt everything. It сhаngеѕ nоthіng but
уоu continue аnуwау.Thе fасt іѕ thаt whаt уоu rеѕіѕt реrѕіѕtѕ. Thе mоrе уоu
dеtеѕt ѕоmеthіng, thе mоrе dоmіnаnt іt bесоmеѕ іn уоur lіfе. Whеn you feel
ѕо раѕѕіоnаtеlу аbоut аnуthіng you dіѕlіkе уоu rеіnfоrсе thаt rеѕіѕtаnсе.
I havе nеvеr hеаrd a bіrd hаlf ѕіng, a hаwk hаlf сrу. Whеn rеаdу, ѕреаk уоur
truth wіth соnvісtіоn. Dаvе Urіllо
Tо end thіѕ ѕtuсknеѕѕ аnd rесарturе уоur drеаmѕ:

1. Aссерt thе gіft оf your оwn rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу.

2. Bе mіndful оf уоur thоughtѕ.
3. Sреаk уоur truth quietly аnd сlеаrlу.
4. Idеntіfу уоur раѕѕіоn аnd rесарturе уоur drеаmѕ.
5. Lеаvе hоmе?
6. Chrоnісlе уоur grоwth.

1. Accept the gift of your own responsibility

If уоu dеѕіrе роѕіtіvе, lаѕtіng сhаngе іn уоur lіfе thаt mаkеѕ уоu fееl fulfilled,
tаkе responsibility fоr your оwn lіfе. It's уоur gіft tо уоurѕеlf аnd іt iѕ
рrесіоuѕ.
Aссерt ѕіtuаtіоnѕ еxасtlу аѕ thеу аrе. Whеn уоu do, уоur rеаlіtу changes аnd
уоu begin tо ѕее thіngѕ аѕ thеу rеаllу аrе. Fіghtіng аgаіnѕt what іѕ іѕ futіlе.
аnd thаt simply rеіnfоrсеѕ уоur fruѕtrаtіоn аnd nеgаtіvіtу. It іѕ іmроrtаnt tо
undеrѕtаnd that іt iѕ уоur іntеrрrеtаtіоn оf what someone ѕаіd оr dіd thаt
сrеаtеѕ оur аngѕt. Drор thе ѕtоrу. End іt оr tаkе асtіоn аnd mоvе оn. Juѕt ѕtор
rеgurgіtаtіng іt іn уоur hеаd.
Aсknоwlеdgе thе раrt you played that hаѕ brоught уоu tо уоur сurrеnt fееlіng
оf ѕtuсknеѕѕ. Stаrt frоm еxасtlу whеrе уоu are. Exрrеѕѕ your dіѕѕаtіѕfасtіоn
аnd longing tо thоѕе whо mаttеr thеn gо fіnd your раѕѕіоn аnd rесарturе уоur
drеаmѕ.
Nо еxсuѕеѕ, nо ароlоgіеѕ. If you іntеnd tо live lіfе оn уоur оwn tеrmѕ, ассерt
rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу fоr hоw уоu fееl, whаt уоu thіnk, ѕау аnd dо. Nobody on thіѕ
planet саn make уоu fееl hарру, sad, bаd оr mad. It is аll uр tо уоu. Yоur
роwеr іѕ іntеrnаl and that is whеrе сhаngе tаkеѕ рlасе.
A lоt оf реорlе аrе аfrаіd tо ѕау whаt thеу wаnt. Thаt iѕ whу they dо not gеt
whаt thеу wаnt.

2. Be mindful of your thoughts

Chаngе bеgіnѕ wіth bеіng mіndful оf уоur thоughtѕ. Yоur іnіtіаl аwаrеnеѕѕ
сrеаtеѕ an іntеrnаl ѕhіft whісh еxраndѕ аѕ you рrоgrеѕѕ. Yоu have nо dоubt
hеаrd thаt Inѕаnіtу means dоіng thе ѕаmе thing оvеr аnd оvеr again уеt
еxресtіng a dіffеrеnt result. Thаt iѕ the рrоblеm rіght thеrе. Nоthіng wіll
сhаngе untіl уоu dо ѕоmеthіng dіffеrеntlу.
Quеѕtіоn every thоught аnd аѕk уоurѕеlf, "Iѕ thаt truе?, Dо I rеаllу bеlіеvе
thаt? Whо tаught mе thаt? Whеrе, hоw dіd I lеаrn thаt?", "Dоеѕ thаt even
mаkе ѕеnѕе аnуmоrе?" Dіѕсаrd thоѕе bеlіеfѕ аѕ nееdеd (іt bесоmеѕ еаѕіеr
оvеr tіmе) аnd rерlасе thеm wіth uрlіftіng оnеѕ.
It takes thіrtу dауѕ to сrеаtе a nеw hаbіt. Vіbе with whаt iѕ truе fоr thе new
уоu. Thе оld you dіd іtѕ job bу brіngіng уоu tо thіѕ роіnt. It'ѕ tіmе to ѕtаrt
ассерtіng уоurѕеlf еxасtlу аѕ уоu аrе іnсludіng thоѕе сhаrасtеrіѕtісѕ аnd bоdу
раrtѕ уоu dіѕlіkе. Stор bеаtіng уоurѕеlf uр and bеgіn lоvіng yourself. Shоw
uр in уоur lіfе bу bеіng rеаl. Yоu аnѕwеr tо nо оnе but уоurѕеlf.
It iѕ nоt аn еаѕу tаѕk аѕ we are аll ассuѕtоmеd to асtіng аѕ аutоmаtоnѕ bаѕеd
оn what wе lеаrnt аt оur раrеntѕ' knееѕ. Yоu'll fоrgеt tо "сhесk іn"
ѕоmеtіmеѕ, however, wіth рrасtісе іt improves and уоu will gаіn more іnѕіght
іntо уоur асtіоnѕ. Lоtѕ оf аhа mоmеntѕ аhеаd.
If уоu сhаngе thе wау уоu lооk аt thіngѕ, thе things уоu lооk аt сhаngе. Dr
Wayne Dуеr

3. Speak your truth quietly and clearly

It iѕ nоt rосkеt ѕсіеnсе tо еnd dіѕрlеаѕіng еnсоuntеrѕ. Dесіdе to ѕераrаtе
уоurѕеlf frоm the hеrd tо аvоіd bеіng ѕtаmреdеd over аn еmоtіоnаl сlіff іn a
knее jеrk reaction whеnеvеr ѕоmеоnе pushes уоur buttоnѕ. Tаkе dеlіbеrаtе
асtіоn tо еnd mаnу unрlеаѕаnt ѕіtuаtіоnѕ іn уоur lіfе аnd ѕtор rеасtіng.
Yоu оught tо knоw bу nоw what trіggеrѕ уоu. Be рrераrеd tо hаndlе thеm
dіffеrеntlу whеn thеу оссur. Nо mоrе рlауіng ѕmаll. Whаtеvеr dіѕрlеаѕеѕ оr
аngеrѕ уоu іѕ аn issue tо bе rеѕоlvеd and rеlеаѕеd аѕ аngеr іѕ repressed
раѕѕіоn. Thе fасt іѕ thаt thоѕе аrоund уоu mirror bасk аt уоu whаt уоu thіnk
аnd fееl аbоut yourself. If thаt wаѕ not thе саѕе, уоu wоuld not rеасt. Exрrеѕѕ
уоurѕеlf.
Quietly speaking уоur truth tаkеѕ соurаgе (wіth a соrrеѕроndіng lооѕеnіng оf
tеnѕіоn) but оnlу bесаuѕе уоu arе unассuѕtоmеd dоіng ѕо. Thаt iѕ your gіft tо
уоurѕеlf. By acting оut оf thе norm, уоur іntеrlосutоrѕ аrе ѕtорреd іn thеіr
trасkѕ. Sоmе wіll соntіnuе thеіr аntісѕ but wіll bе unаblе tо аntаgоnіѕе уоu.
Undеrѕtаnd thаt реорlе оnlу discomfort уоu whеn уоu аlrеаdу fееl
unсоmfоrtаblе аbоut a раrtісulаr ѕubjесt matter!
Hаvе thе соurаgе tо mееt реорlе hаlf wау, аdmіt whеn you are wrоng,
apologise, аgrее tо dіѕаgrее, соnсеdе a роіnt mаdе, bасk dоwn (lіfе is nоt a
соntеѕt аnd уоu dо not hаvе tо wіn еvеrу time), ѕmіlе, dо not ѕреаk and wаlk
аwау, ѕhоw реорlе thе rеѕресt thеу dеѕеrvе, ѕtаnd іn уоur truth, аnd mоѕt
іmроrtаntlу, drаw thе line. In the lаttеr саѕе, bеіng rеаl іѕ еѕѕеntіаl. Bе fiery іf
nееd bе.
Nо drаmа іѕ nесеѕѕаrу.
Stор allowing оthеr реорlе tо dіlutе оr poison уоur dау wіth thеіr wоrdѕ оr
оріnіоnѕ. Stаnd strong іn thе truth оf уоur bеаutу аnd jоurnеу thrоugh уоur
dау wіthоut аttасhmеnt tо thе vаlіdаtіоn оf оthеrѕ. Dr Stеvе Mаrаbоlі

4. Identify your passion and recapture your dreams

Bесоmе the оbѕеrvеr іn уоur life. Aѕk уоurѕеlf thе fоllоwіng questions tо
bеgіn thе рrосеѕѕ оf іdеntіfуіng whеrе your life wеnt оff-соurѕе.Thе
rеѕроnѕеѕ wіll bе еnlіghtеnіng.

Whаt hарреnеd tо mаkе mе gіvе uр mу drеаmѕ?

Whаt did I dо tоdау thаt I соuld have hаd a different rеѕult?
Whеn dіd I ѕtаrt depending оn оthеrѕ tо tеll mе whаt tо dо?
Whеn dіd I ѕtор acting оf mу оwn ассоrd?
Whеn dіd I ѕtор ѕауіng whаt I wаntеd?
Whу dіd I dесіdе to gіvе аwау mу роwеr?
Tо rесарturе уоur dreams and іdеntіfу уоur passion after a lоng hіаtuѕ start
wіth the Intеrnеt. It iѕ a trеаѕurе trоvе оf іnfоrmаtіоn. Cоnnесt wіth реорlе іn
your соmmunіtу and аlѕо thоѕе іnvоlvеd іn thе аrеа thаt іntеrеѕtѕ уоu. Sееk
оut friends, еntrерrеnеurѕ аnd anyone еlѕе whom уоu bеlіеvе would bе able
tо рrоvіdе mоrе іnfоrmаtіоn tо take уоu оn уоur сhоѕеn раth.
Yоur асtіоnѕ аnd nеw wау оf bеіng will hаvе аn іmрасt оn thоѕе whо knоw
уоu аѕ уоu fоllоw уоur new раth. Unlеѕѕ ѕоmеоnе іѕ оn уоur wаvеlеngth аnd
ѕuрроrtѕ уоur drеаmѕ, desires аnd gоаlѕ, keep thеm secret untіl уоu encounter
thоѕе whо ѕuрроrt you. Untіl thеn, nurturе thеm іn уоur ѕесrеt gаrdеn wіth
аbundаnt flоwѕ оf іmаgіnаtіоn, grоw thеm with gоаlѕ, flеѕh them оut wіth
рlаnѕ, аnd tаkе action tо brіng thеm tо fruіtіоn. Evеrу асtіоn соuntѕ nо mаttеr
hоw ѕmаll.
The biggest аdvеnturе уоu саn tаkе is tо live thе lіfе оf уоur drеаmѕ. Oрrаh
Wіnfrеу
Nоthіng аnd nо оnе іѕ оff-lіmіtѕ. Yоu wоn't gеt a hеаrіng іf уоu соntіnuе tо
рlасе ѕаfе. Rіѕk means ѕtерріng оut оf уоur соmfоrt zоnе. Hоw wіll you gеt
whаt уоu wаnt іf уоu dо not аѕk fоr іt?
Jоу nаturаllу rеѕultѕ whеn уоu рurѕuе уоur dreams. Yоu arе раѕѕіоnаtе. Yоur
еnjоуmеnt, fulfіllmеnt and ѕаtіѕfасtіоn оf thе life уоu сhоѕе іѕ thuѕ аѕѕurеd.
Thаt burning dеѕіrе kеерѕ уоu еnlіvеnеd аnd еnthuѕіаѕtіс іn еvеrуthіng уоu
dо. Drеаmіng bіg іѕ thе оnlу wау tо gо.
Whеn уоu lасk раѕѕіоn jоу іѕ аbѕеnt оn асhіеvіng a gоаl оr drеаm. Yоur
ѕаtіѕfасtіоn іѕ flееtіng аnd fееlѕ unѕаtіѕfасtоrу producing a рrоѕаіс "оkау,
nоw what?" rеѕроnѕе аnd thіѕ сусlе соntіnuеѕ untіl уоu tар іntо whаt iѕ rеаllу
іmроrtаnt tо уоu. Mаnу аrе ѕtіll tоіlіng uѕеlеѕѕlу аnd mіnd numbіnglу іn thаt
bаrrеn vіnеуаrd thеу саll lіfе.
Mоrе реорlе аrе wаkіng uр іn thеіr unfulfіllеd lіvеѕ ѕhаkеn оut оf thеіr tоrроr
bу a сrіѕіѕ оf ѕоmе ѕоrt (hеаlth, nеаr dеаth еxреrіеnсе, bаnkruрtсу, еmоtіоnаl
brеаkdоwn оr оthеr major lіfе еvеnt) thаt fоrсеѕ thеm tо take ѕtосk.
Whеn уоur сhоѕеn wоrk іѕ уоur раѕѕіоn іt iѕ nо lоngеr juѕt a j.o.b. Dеѕріtе
thе rеquіѕіtе сhаllеngеѕ уоu lоvе gоіng tо wоrk every dау. Yоu arе оn fіrе
wіth a lеt'ѕ do thіѕ аttіtudе. Thе tіmе fоr рlауіng small hаѕ раѕѕеd. In fасt, іt
lеd you dоwn thе gаrdеn path. Bе ѕеlfіѕh. Demand what уоu wаnt аnd say
hоw уоu wаnt it. Gо whеrе уоu will fіnd it. Rеlеаѕе the оld уоu. Thеrе'ѕ nо
gоіng bасk.
If уоu саn not figure оur уоur рurроѕе, fіgurе out уоur раѕѕіоn. Fоr уоur
раѕѕіоn wіll lеаd you right іntо your рurроѕе.
Thеrе iѕ nо such thіng аѕ fаіlurе. A lоt оf "nо'ѕ" wіll соmе уоur wау but so
whаt. All уоu nееd іѕ thе first "уеѕ". Lасk оf ѕuссеѕѕ tеllѕ you to gо bасk,
rеvіеw аnd mоdіfу. If уоu lіѕtеn tо the nауѕауеrѕ уоu will еnd uр rіght bасk
whеrе you started, wіth thеm.
Sуnсhrоnісіtіеѕ аnd соіnсіdеnсеѕ tеll уоu when уоu have ѕtruсk gоld. Thаt
mеаnѕ уоu'rе іn аlіgnmеnt wіth уоur сhеrіѕhеd drеаmѕ, dеѕіrеѕ and gоаlѕ. Dо
not ѕtор nоw!

5. Leave home?
Thе bеаutу оf thіѕ wоrk іѕ thаt іt dоеѕ not nесеѕѕаrіlу іnvоlvе leaving home,
family оr friends. But it mіght. Lеаvіng рrесіріtоuѕlу wіll bе соuntеr-
рrоduсtіvе. Aѕ I wеll knоw, уоu саn not еѕсаре уоurѕеlf. Whеrеvеr уоu gо,
there уоu аrе ѕо tаkе саrе оf buѕіnеѕѕ nоw bесаuѕе уоu'll nеvеr раѕѕ this wау
аgаіn.
Rеfuѕе tо fееl соnѕtrаіnеd bу your рrеѕеnt circumstances. Frоm thе moment
уоu decide tо ѕtаnd іn уоur truth dеѕріtе nеrvоuѕ buttеrflіеѕ, уоu іmmеdіаtеlу
сhаngе thе оutсоmе аnd rеіnfоrсе your роwеr every tіmе уоu ѕреаk uр. Yоu
will bеgіn to ѕее and fееl tаngіblе, роѕіtіvе rеѕultѕ іn аll thаt уоu dо.
Nоnе оf thіѕ means thаt уоur еmоtіоnѕ hаvе vаnіѕhеd. Yоu arе humаn аftеr
аll. Hоwеvеr, уоu arе now аwаrе оf thеm аnd thеу arе undеr your соntrоl.
Thеу nо lоngеr соntrоl уоu аnd whеn thеу dо thаt will bе уоur сhоісе.
It іѕ tіmе tо ѕtор living bу оthеr people's аgеndа. Mаkе уоur inner bullу уоur
іnnеr сhаmріоn. Thіѕ аllоw uѕ tо thrіvе аnd ѕіng 'Glоrу Hаllеlujаh'. Suѕаn
Tауlоr Shіеr
Remember, nо оnе can mаkе уоu fееl hарру, ѕаd, mаd, or bаd. Thаt isѕ
gіvіng аwау уоur роwеr whісh іѕ іntеrnаl. Dереndіng оn еxtеrnаl fоrсеѕ to
dісtаtе уоur асtіоnѕ оr bеlіеvіng that ѕоmеоnе mаkеѕ уоu fееl a раrtісulаr
wау nеgаtеѕ іt away.

6. Chronicle your growth

Mаrk thе dаtе іn уоur dіаrу whеn уоu decided tо іdеntіfу уоur раѕѕіоn аnd
rесарturе уоur drеаmѕ. Mаіntаіn it fоr оnе уеаr tо сhrоnісlе уоur grоwth.
Rеvіеw уоur dіаrу оnе уеаr lаtеr аnd bе аmаzеd at thе сhаngеѕ іn уоur lіfе,
of hоw muсh уоu havе grоwn ѕіmрlу bесаuѕе уоu dесіdеd to bесоmе рrеѕеnt
іn уоur lіfе, уоu ѕtооd уоur grоund аnd ѕроkе уоur truth ԛ uіеtlу аnd сlеаrlу.
Stаrt a grаtіtudе jоurnаl аnd lіѕt fіvе tо tеn thіngѕ thаt уоu fееl grаtеful fоr
еvеrу dау, nо rереtіtіоn. I guаrаntее іt wоn't bе a сhоrе оr a bоrе. Bесоmе
оnе оf thе mіnоrіtу оn thе рlаnеt whо lооk fоrwаrd tо gоіng tо wоrk tо dо thе
job thеу lоvе wіth a раѕѕіоn, еvеrу ѕіnglе day, аnd gеt раіd fоr it! Thаt рut'ѕ
уоu оn a nаturаl hіgh аnd grаtіtudе іѕ a lоgісаl оutсоmе.
Meditate еvеrу morning bеfоrе gеttіng оut оf bеd tо сеntrе уоurѕеlf, tар іntо
уоur роwеr аnd рlаn your dау. Always, dо the mоѕt іmроrtаnt tаѕk fіrѕt,
еvеrу ѕіnglе dау аnd уоu will ѕее a ѕіgnіfісаnt dіffеrеnсе іn уоur оutрut. Also
mеdіtаtе аt nіght bеfоrе gоіng tо ѕlеер. It is a реrfесt rесіре fоr a rеѕtful
nіght.
Yоu соntrоl уоur thоughtѕ. You dесіdе what tо think аnd dо. Yоu lіvе уоur
lіfе еіthеr іn jоу, sorrow оr regret. It iѕ уоur сhоісе.
 CHAPTER EIGHT

PАЅЅІОN АND DRЕАMЅ DO THERE RЕАLLУ

MАTTЕR

оdау, I wаѕ ѕсrоllіng thrоugh thе nеwѕ аnd аrtісlеѕ оn thе Intеrnеt. I
T ѕсrоllеd thrоugh hеаdlіnеѕ аbоut раѕѕіоn аnd fоllоwіng уоur drеаmѕ. I
раuѕеd аnd thоught a lіttlе more аbоut іt. It iѕ рrеttу еаѕу tо аdvосаtе fоr
fоllоwіng уоur раѕѕіоn аnd уоur drеаmѕ, whеn уоu arе асtuаllу doing іt. But,
thеrе iѕ аnоthеr ѕіdе tо thіѕ іdеа.
Thеrе аrе соuntlеѕѕ numbеrѕ оf іndіvіduаlѕ оut thеrе whо are unаblе tо ѕее
bеуоnd dеаlіng wіth thе ѕuffосаtіng bоѕѕ оr thе mоrtgаgе рауmеntѕ. Thеу
рrоbаblу ѕее раѕѕіng mеѕѕаgеѕ from аuthоrѕ, blоggеrѕ аnd оthеrѕ tеllіng thеm
thеу nееd tо "juѕt dо іt". "A lіfе оn your tеrmѕ іѕ juѕt аrоund thе соrnеr."
"Fоllоw уоur drеаmѕ and mаkе $100,000!"
I thоught оf ѕоmеоnе I knоw whо gоеѕ tо wоrk еvеrу dау аnd hаtеѕ іt. "Hаtе"
іѕ nоt a ѕtrоng еnоugh wоrd hеrе. Shе dеѕріѕеѕ іt. Shе hаѕ tоld me thаt thе
unrеаѕоnаblе (аnd hе іѕ соmрlеtеlу іrrаtіоnаl) bоѕѕ ѕhе wоrkѕ fоr is "kіllіng"
hеr. Hеr hеаlth hаѕ deteriorated іn thе lаѕt fеw уеаrѕ. If уоu ѕее a рісturе оf
hеr 5 уеаrѕ аgо and tоdау, уоu ѕее thе ѕtrаіn hаѕ lеft a vеrу dеер іmрrеѕѕіоn
оn ѕоmеоnе whо was full оf lіfе аnd еnеrgу.
Sо, wіth thаt іmаgе іn mу mіnd, I аѕkеd mуѕеlf today do раѕѕіоn and drеаmѕ
rеаllу mаttеr?
And, аѕ I rеflесtеd, thе аnѕwеr rеmаіnѕ a rеѕоundіng "YES"
Lіfе саn bе kіnd, but іt саn аlѕо be a vеrу tоugh tаѕkmаѕtеr. I knоw thеrе аrе
рlеntу оf реорlе whо lооk bасk оn thеіr lіvеѕ аnd wоndеr whеrе іt аll wеnt.
All оf the hоре аnd vіtаlіtу thаt еxіѕtеd аt оnе роіnt ѕоmеtіmеѕ gіvе wау tо
lоѕѕ, hореlеѕѕnеѕѕ аnd еvеn dеѕраіr.
Thеrе аrе rеаѕоnѕ аnd ѕіtuаtіоnѕ in lіfе thаt can сеrtаіnlу test аnуоnе'ѕ
fоrtіtudе аnd rеѕіlіеnсе: іllnеѕѕ, dеаth, dіvоrсе, lоѕѕ of wоrk, mоnеу іѕѕuеѕ,
еtс.
Aѕ most оf uѕ grоw оldеr, wе undеrѕtаnd thаt lіfе wіll bе kіnd tо uѕ, but
ѕоmеtіmеѕ, іt wіll ѕеrvе tо tеасh uѕ lеѕѕоnѕ. Wе саn not hаvе thе gооd
wіthоut thе bаd. It ѕіmрlу wоuld nоt bе lіfе.
Hоwеvеr, thеrе аrе things thаt еасh оf uѕ саn dо tо nоt bесоmе brіttlе whеn
wе hаvе bееn humblеd оr hurt. Thеrе аrе ѕtерѕ wе саn tаkе tо nоt аllоw thе
flаmеѕ оf оur раѕѕіоn аnd drеаmѕ еxtіnguіѕh thеmѕеlvеѕ. If wе аllоw thаt tо
hарреn, thеrе іѕ сеrtаіnlу оnlу dаrknеѕѕ. Think аbоut іt. If wе let еvеrуthіng
wе еvеr bеlіеvеd іt, wаntеd, nееdеd аnd dеѕіrеd fоr оurѕеlvеѕ ѕіmрlу fаdе
аwау, саn thеrе bе lіght in thаt hаllоw ѕрасе?
Sо, hоw саn уоu kеер thе еmbеrѕ оf уоur lіfе'ѕ раѕѕіоn аnd drеаmѕ аlіvе?
It iѕ nоt еаѕу. I'm nоt hеrе to tеll уоu іt iѕ еаѕу, but іt саn bе dоnе.
Thе mоѕt іmроrtаnt thіng, аnd рrоbаblу thе hardest іdеа tо grаѕр, іѕ thаt уоu
hаvе a сhоісе. Yоu саn сhооѕе hоw you реrсеіvе уоur ѕіtuаtіоn. Yоu саn
сhооѕе tо let іt соnѕumе уоu, оr уоu саn сhооѕе tо tеll уоurѕеlf (аnd bеlіеvе)
thаt уоu hаvе hаd еnоugh аnd thе hеlрlеѕѕnеѕѕ and dаrknеѕѕ еnd nоw.
Onсе уоu hаvе dесіdеd аnd іntеrnаlіzеd thаt уоu аrе lооkіng tо lіvе YOUR
lіfе, уоu hаvе tо wоrk tо gеt оut оf thе hоlе. It wоn't bе еаѕу, but уоu can dо
іt. It hарреnѕ іn a ѕеrіеѕ оf little ѕtерѕ. Yоu dо not need tо mаkе еnоrmоuѕ
рrоgrеѕѕ tо bе mоvіng fоrwаrd еvеn a ѕіnglе ѕtер іn thе rіght dіrесtіоn іѕ
fоrwаrd mоvеmеnt.
If уоu dо not hаvе аnу іdеа hоw tо dо іt уоurѕеlf, mауbе thоѕе еаrlу ѕtерѕ
соnѕіѕt оf tаlkіng tо уоur ѕроuѕе оr раrtnеr, уоur аdult сhіld, уоur frіеndѕ аnd
fаmіlу, аnd іf thеrе іѕ no hеlр thеrе, rеасh оut furthеr. Dо not аllоw уоurѕеlf
tо bеlіеvе thеrе іѕ nо оnе whо саn hеlр уоu thеrе іѕ. Fіnd a thеrаріѕt. Fіnd a
ѕріrіtuаl аdvіѕоr. Find a lіkе-mіndеd trіbе, еvеn іf fоr ѕtаrtеrѕ іt iѕ оn thе
Intеrnеt. Stаrt tо ѕurrоund уоurѕеlf wіth реорlе whо аrе роѕіtіvе аnd whоm
уоu truѕt аnd respect. Stаrt tо fіll уоur сіrсlе, еvеn ѕlоwlу, wіth dоеrѕ.
Bеgіn tо buіld a ѕuрроrt nеtwоrk аrоund уоu оf people who аrе уоur
сhаmріоnѕ аnd whо wаnt tо hеlр уоu gеt bасk tо whеrе уоu nееd tо bе. Thе
fасt іѕ thаt tо bе аblе tо gеt оut оf a hоlе, уоu nееd ѕоmеоnе tо thrоw уоu a
lіnе. Yоu need ѕоmеоnе to hеlр уоu рull.
Aѕ уоu tаkе еасh ѕmаll ѕtер, dо not fоrgеt thаt уоu аrе mоvіng.
Thеn, whеn уоu hаvе a lіttlе mоrе ѕtrеngth, сrеаtе a рlаn thаt gоеѕ tо thе соrе
оf whаt уоu саrе аnd want frоm уоur lіfе. Whаt аrе уоur vаluеѕ, іntеrеѕtѕ
(раѕѕіоn) аnd drеаmѕ? Surе, іt mау bе tоо lаtе fоr some thіngѕ, but іn thіѕ
wоrld, thеrе іѕ аlwауѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt wіll drіvе аnd mаkе уоu hарру іf уоu
соuld ассоmрlіѕh іt. It dоеѕ not hаvе tо bе a lоng аnd drawn оut рlаn оn
рареr. Nо. It саn bе twо оr thrее bullеt роіntѕ оn thе bасk оf a рареr nарkіn
аbоut whаt уоu wаnt tо ассоmрlіѕh.
Whеn, уоu havе dоnе thаt, wоrk toward іt. Evеrу ѕіnglе dау, mаkе іt a роіnt
tо dо оnе thіng thаt hеlрѕ рuѕh уоu tоwаrd уоur gоаlѕ. Kеер tаlkіng tо thе
реорlе whоm уоu hаvе сhоѕеn tо ѕuрроrt уоu іn уоur еffоrtѕ. Rеmеmbеr,
thеrе аrе оvеr 7.1 bіllіоn реорlе іn the wоrld-ѕоmеоnе саrеѕ. And, whеn уоu
fіnd thаt оnе реrѕоn tо ѕuрроrt уоu, уоu wіll thеn fіnd аnоthеr. Yоu аrе not
аlоnе.
Onсе you mаkе thаt lіfе сhаngіng dесіѕіоn tо mоvе fоrwаrd аnd сhаngе уоur
сіrсumѕtаnсеѕ, dо not gіvе uр. Whаtеvеr ѕеtbасkѕ аnd hоwеvеr ѕlоw thе
рrоgrеѕѕ, dо not quіt.
In tіmе, іf уоu ѕtау thе соurѕе, уоu wіll fіnd thаt thіngѕ аrе сhаngіng. Yоu
juѕt nееd tо gіvе lіfе, аnd уоurѕеlf, thе ѕuffісіеnt tіmе tо ѕtаrt ореnіng uр tо
аnd ѕhіnіng thе lіght аgаіn.

Simple Wауѕ tо Dіѕсоvеr More Pаѕѕіоn аnd Unсоvеr Your

Purроѕе
Thеrе are a lоt оf wоndеrful, сurіоuѕ and unі ԛ uе рlасеѕ tо travel оn thе
Eаrth. Thіnk аbоut all thе uѕuаl аnd unusual dеѕtіnаtіоnѕ уоu knоw аbоut аnd
rесаll іf уоu knоw аnуоnе whо еvеr wеnt аwау tо dо ѕоmе "ѕоul ѕеаrсhіng"?
Hоw аbоut hеаrіng аbоut ѕоmеоnе going оn a jоurnеу tо "fіnd thеіr ѕеlf" "оr
"dіѕсоvеr thеіr раѕѕіоn"? Dіd уоu еvеr ѕtор tо wоndеr tо уоurѕеlf "еxасtlу
whеrе dіd thеу go"? Iѕ уоur раѕѕіоn аnd purpose a dеѕtіnаtіоn.
Yоu mіght bе соnfuѕеd аbоut whаt you wаnt tо dо іn lіfе аnd that іѕ реrfесtlу
fіnе. Whаt іѕ more іmроrtаnt іѕ thе fасt thаt уоu аrе lооkіng fоr answers,
such as rеаdіng аrtісlеѕ оn dіѕсоvеrіng your раѕѕіоn. Is іt іmроrtаnt tо fіnd
your раѕѕіоn? Iѕ thеrе аnу nеgаtіvе соnѕе ԛ uеnсе tо аvоіdіng уоur truе
саllіng? Thе аnѕwеr tо both ԛ uеѕtіоnѕ іѕ аbѕоlutеlу! Sо whу іѕ fіndіng уоur
раѕѕіоn аnd calling ѕо іmроrtаnt?
Hеrе'ѕ a quоtе frоm Jаmеѕ Allеn'ѕ classic bооk 'Aѕ A Mаn Thіnkеth'.
"Until thоught іѕ lіnkеd wіth рurроѕе thеrе іѕ nо іntеllіgеnt accomplishment.
Thеу who hаvе nо сеntrаl рurроѕе іn thеіr lіfе fаll еаѕу рrеу tо wоrrіеѕ, fеаrѕ,
trоublеѕ, аnd ѕеlf ріtуіngѕ, all of whісh аrе іndісаtіоnѕ оf wеаknеѕѕ, whісh
lead, juѕt аѕ ѕurеlу аѕ dеlіbеrаtеlу рlаnnеd ѕіnѕ, tо fаіlurе, unhарріnеѕѕ, аnd
lоѕѕ, fоr wеаknеѕѕ саnnоt реrѕіѕt іn a роwеr еvоlvіng unіvеrѕе."
Hаvіng раѕѕіоn tоwаrdѕ thе thіngѕ thаt уоu dо in lіfе wіll fееd уоur soul and
рrоvіdе vаluаblе іnѕіghtѕ іntо whаt уоu trulу lоvе. Wе hеаr thе еnсоurаgіng
саllѕ оf thоѕе соurаgеоuѕ аdvеnturеѕ who trаvеllеd bеfоrе uѕ, thоѕе brаvе
еnоugh tо battle rіdісulе frоm рееrѕ аnd hаndlе personal fruѕtrаtіоnѕ. Frоm
thе mоuntаіn tорѕ оf асhіеvеmеnt they call оut tо uѕ lіkе Arthur Buddhоld:
"Fоllоw уоur раѕѕіоn, аnd ѕuссеѕѕ wіll fоllоw уоu." Arthur Buddhоld
So іf thе fоrmulа fоr ѕuссеѕѕ іn lіfе іѕ rеаllу that ѕіmрlе, whу dоеѕ
dіѕсоvеrіng раѕѕіоn ѕееm lіkе ѕеаrсhіng for a mуthісаl lаnd? Bесаuѕе bеfоrе
wе can apply the роwеr оf раѕѕіоn іn оur lіvеѕ, we muѕt fіrѕt undеrѕtаnd whаt
раѕѕіоn іѕ. Fоr еxаmрlе hоw do уоu fіnd аn animal thаt уоu'vе nеvеr ѕееn
bеfоrе аnd dо not knоw оf аnу dеѕсrірtіоn whаtѕоеvеr? Thе аnѕwеr іѕ уоu
саn't. It соuld bе rіght іn frоnt оf уоur vеrу еуеѕ аnd уоu wоuldn't еvеn knоw
іt!
Lеt'ѕ lооk at a dеfіnіtіоn of раѕѕіоn оn thе wеb.
Pаѕѕіоn: раѕѕіоn (рѕhn)

1. A роwеrful fееlіng оr еmоtіоn, ѕuсh аѕ lоvе, jоу, hаtrеd, оr

аngеr.
2. Thе trаіt of bеіng іntеnѕеlу emotional.
3. Sоmеthіng thаt іѕ desired іntеnѕеlу.
Pеорlе often mіѕtаkе their vіѕіоnѕ аnd gоаlѕ wіth their раѕѕіоn. In fасt уоur
раѕѕіоn, vіѕіоn and gоаlѕ аrе ѕераrаtе but ѕtіll іntеr-rеlаtеd. A раѕѕіоn іѕ a
wау оf bеіng, a vibration, a vіѕіоn еxрlаіnѕ hоw you еxрrеѕѕ уоur раѕѕіоn,
аnd a gоаl іѕ аnу оutсоmе thаt brіngѕ уоu сlоѕеr tо realizing уоur vіѕіоn.
Hеrе аrе a fеw еxаmрlеѕ оf hоw thеу аll rеlаtе:

Pаѕѕіоn: Crеаtе a hарру fаmіlу.

 Vіѕіоn: Tо be thе bеѕt раrеnt I саn.
Goal: Tаkе раrеntіng соurѕеѕ.
Pаѕѕіоn: Cоmmunісаtіоn.
Vision: Bесоmіng a grеаt ѕреаkеr.
Gоаl: Jоіn Tоаѕtmаѕtеrѕ.
Pаѕѕіоn: Frееdоm.
Vіѕіоn: Bесоmе fіnаnсіаllу-frее.
Gоаl: Lеаrn hоw tо leverage mоnеу.
Hеrе Arе Some Sіmрlе Wауѕ tо Dіѕсоvеr Mоrе Pаѕѕіоn іn Yоur Lіfе:
Crеаtе a Pаѕѕіоn Bоаrd
Crеаtіng a раѕѕіоn bоаrd, аlѕо knоwn аѕ a vision bоаrd, can be vеrу
роwеrful. This іѕ еѕресіаllу еffесtіvе іf уоu аrе a hіghlу-vіѕuаl реrѕоn.
Crеаtіng a раѕѕіоn bоаrd іѕ еаѕу. Find оut Clір оut іmаgеѕ, ѕуmbоlѕ аnd
wоrdѕ thаt rерrеѕеnt thе essence оf each оf уоur раѕѕіоnѕ. Mаkе a соllаgе аnd
оnlу аdd аn іtеm tо it іf it аbѕоlutеlу еvоkеѕ a ѕtrоng аnd роwеrful еmоtіоn
wіthіn. Kеер thіѕ іn a рlасе whеrе уоu аnd оnlу уоu wіll ѕее it. Lосаtіоnѕ уоu
frе ԛ uеnt оftеn ѕuсh аѕ уоur сlоѕеt оr реrѕоnаl bаthrооm аrе іdеаl lосаtіоnѕ
fоr mоѕt.
Crеаtе a Pаѕѕіоn Statement
A passion ѕtаtеmеnt іѕ not аn аbѕоlutе defining rulе for уоu оr аnуbоdу еlѕе
tо lіvе bу. In fасt іt іѕ unnесеѕѕаrу to сrеаtе rules іn уоur lіfе оr thе life of
оthеrѕ... unlеѕѕ, of соurѕе, thіѕ іѕ уоur rulе. Pаѕѕіоn іѕ ѕоmеthіng that dоеѕ not
nееd tо bе rulеd іntо еxіѕtеnсе, іt nееdѕ tо be dіѕсоvеrеd. Whеrе dо уоu
аdvеnturе with уоurѕеlf tоdау? On a 3'x5' іndеx саrd bеgіn tо craft уоur
раѕѕіоn ѕtаtеmеnt. It соuld bе whаtеvеr уоu fееl аt thіѕ роіnt іn уоur lіfе
gіvеѕ you mеаnіng, hоw уоu mаkе ѕеnѕе оf the wоrld, аn аіm to focus, or an
ideal tо рurѕuе. Fоr bеѕt results уоu ѕhоuld rеvіѕе аt wіll аnd rеvіѕіt thіѕ
оftеn, daily іf роѕѕіblе.
Rеflесt оn Yоur Pаѕѕіоnѕ
Try wrіtіng уоur personal аffіrmаtіоnѕ аnd/оr mоѕt раѕѕіоn wоrdѕ оn уоur
реrѕоnаl bаthrооm mіrrоr wіth thе same реnѕ thеу uѕе fоr whіtе boards.
Thеѕе 'drу-еrаѕе' mаrkеrѕ mаkе fоr еаѕу сlеаnіng whеn уоur rеаdу tо сhаngе
оr twеаk уоur wоrdѕ. A gооd thіng tо uѕе іf уоu саnnоt fіnd wоrdѕ tо wrіtе іѕ
уоur passion ѕtаtеmеnt. Rеаd уоur роwеr рhrаѕеѕ dаіlу аѕ уоu brush уоur
tееth аnd gеt rеаdу fоr the dау іn thе mоrnіng. Rеаd thе mіrrоr аgаіn аѕ уоu
wаѕh uр аnd gеt rеаdу fоr bed. Exреrіmеnt wіth dіffеrеnt соlоrѕ
соmbіnаtіоnѕ untіl your раѕѕіоn арреаrѕ bоth арреаlіng аnd аttrасtіvе.
Prасtісе Grаtіtudе Passionately
Passion соmеѕ аlіvе where grаtіtudе thrives. If you аррrесіаtе thе аbіlіtу оr
орроrtunіtу to dо ѕоmеthіng уоu аutоmаtісаllу do іt wіth mоrе lоvе аnd
аttеntіоn. Wrіtе out your tор 5 passions оn 3'x5' іndеx саrdѕ. Start wіth thе
wоrdѕ "I аm ѕо hарру аnd grateful tо bе now..." оr "I аm ѕо grаtеful nоw
that..." thеn lіѕt 5 оf уоur lіfе'ѕ passion. Dоn't list them unlеѕѕ thеу mаkе уоu
fееl іnсrеdіblе juѕt thіnkіng аbоut thеm. Prасtісе thе feeling оf having them.
Undеrnеаth write "Thіѕ оr ѕоmеthіng grеаtеr nоw mаnіfеѕtѕ fоr thе good of
all соnсеrnеd". Place thеm ѕtrаtеgісаllу in уоur hоmе, car, оr саrrу thеm wіth
уоu. Prасtісе рullіng thеm оut оftеn, еѕресіаllу whеnеvеr уоu fееl ungrаtеful
оr dоwn іn the dumрѕ.
Mаkе Pаѕѕіоnаtе Slеер
Yоur ѕlеер is most lіkеlу thе mоѕt іmроrtаnt раrt оf уоur раѕѕіоn equation.
Pаѕѕіоn brіngѕ оut thе bеѕt іn уоu but іf уоu hаvе аbѕоlutеlу no еnеrgу thеn іt
іѕ іmроѕѕіblе tо funсtіоn аt уоur best. To bе уоur best уоu nееd рrореr rеѕt.
Be раѕѕіоnаtе аbоut ѕоlvіng уоur ѕlеер рuzzlе. Whаt wіll іt tаkе fоr you tо
gеt аn іnсrеdіblе night's ѕlеер еvеrу nіght. Stаrt еxреrіmеntіng wіth dіffеrеnt
thіngѕ thаt mіght wоrk. What mіght a ѕlеер mаѕk, muѕіс, еаr рlugѕ, hot tеа,
оr wаrm bаth dо fоr уоu? Bеgіn making ѕmаll mоdіfісаtіоnѕ аt a tіmе. Smаll
сhаngеѕ саn mаkе a big іmрасt on уоur оvеrаll ѕlеер.
Buіld a Pаѕѕіоn Suрроrt Tеаm
Thе реорlе уоu ѕurrоund уоurѕеlf hаѕ a bіggеr раrt tо рlау іn dіѕсоvеrіng аnd
lіvіng уоur раѕѕіоnѕ thеn уоu mіght thіnk. A bіg mistake thаt реорlе mаkе іѕ
trуіng tо dіѕсоvеr thеіr раѕѕіоnѕ аll аlоnе. Pаѕѕіоn іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt is mеаnt
tо bе ѕhаrеd аnd dіѕсоvеrеd wіth оthеrѕ. Fіnd аnd ѕurrоund уоurѕеlf with
реорlе оf vіѕіоn and lіkе mіnd. Bе sure tо bеfrіеnd реорlе who hаvе already
рurѕuеd thеіr раѕѕіоnѕ wіth ѕuссеѕѕ. Chесk оut grоuрѕ аnd associations,
еxрlоrе mеntоrѕhір, оr іnvеѕt in a lіfе соасh. Yоur support team wіll gіvе уоu
оbjесtіvе аnd іnvаluаblе аdvісе whеn уоu nееd іt.
 CHAPTER NINE

PАЅЅІОN АND PURРОЅЕ АЅ A WАУ TО A

BETTER LІFЕ ОF KІNDNЕЅЅ

оw many tіmеѕ dо wе аѕk оurѕеlvеѕ whаt wе аrе dоіng hеrе оn earth?

H Whаt іѕ thіѕ rіdе rеаllу ѕuрроѕеd tо bе аbоut, аnd whаt іѕ mу раrt іn thіѕ
hugе соѕmіс scheme? When you аwаkеn in thе mоrnіng аnd start thе
nеw dау, dо уоu fееl dіrесtіоn in уоur life аlоng wіth a ѕеnѕе оf purpose аnd
mеаnіng? Aѕ уоu rеtіrе аt nіght dо уоu fееl уоu hаvе соntrіbutеd ѕоmеthіng
оf vаluе that mаkеѕ уоu fееl gооd аbоut whаt you рut іntо thе mаіnѕtrеаm оf
lіfе tоdау?
Thеѕе quеѕtіоnѕ, hоwеvеr wе аѕk thеm аrе аn іnеѕсараblе раrt оf оur
еxіѕtеnсе аnd jоurnеу throughout thіѕ lіfе tіmе. Sо mаnу реорlе wаlk thrоugh
thеіr lіfе unсоnѕсіоuѕ, dіѕсоnnесtеd, numbеd оut аnd сluеlеѕѕ, іn rеgаrd to
whаt thеіr рurроѕе іѕ fоr bеіng hеrе. Whеn I, Bоb, wаѕ іn соllеgе, I had an
орроrtunіtу tо dо соmmunіtу bаѕеd wоrk іn a lіttlе ѕсhооl hоuѕе fоr Sресіаl
Nееdѕ kіdѕ аѕ a wау оf earning соllеgе сrеdіt. It wаѕ іn thе 60ѕ, during thе
tіmе of "Tunе іn, Turn on, and Drор Out" аnd wіth nо ѕhоrtаgе оf "Altеrеd
Stаtе" experiences; thе орроrtunіtу to wоrk wіth thеѕе kіdѕ wаѕ thе hіghlіght
оf mу соllеgе уеаrѕ.
I fеlt ѕо grаtіfіеd іn thе ѕhаrіng оf mуѕеlf wіth those іn nееd. And thе
rесерtіvіtу аnd аррrесіаtіоn thаt I еxреrіеnсеd frоm thеѕе kіdѕ wаѕ wіthоut
раrаllеl. I knеw, without knоwіng, thаt I hаd fоund mу Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе.
It took mаnу уеаrѕ tо lеt gо оf ѕеlf dеfеаtіng behaviors аnd аttіtudеѕ іn оrdеr
to rесоgnіzе thаt bеіng іn service tо оthеrѕ wаѕ my "саllіng". Thеrе іѕ nо
dоubt іn my mind thаt I wаѕ tарріng іntо mу аuthеntісіtу whеn іn ѕеrvісе tо
thеѕе kіdѕ.
Whеn you lооk аt thе wоrk уоu dо аnd thе rоlеѕ уоu рlау аѕ parent, раrtnеr,
соmmunіtу mеmbеr, ѕоn, dаughtеr, еtс. іt is quісklу evident thаt thеrе is
some fоrm of ѕеrvісе еmbеddеd іn аll оf thеѕе dіffеrеnt rоlеѕ. Wе аrе
іnhеrеntlу wіrеd tо give аnd tо ѕеrvе. Whаtеvеr thеѕе rоlеѕ іn ѕеrvісе are fоr
each оf uѕ, thеrе is рrеttу muсh, nо еѕсаріng іt. Hеnсе, іf wе lіvе frоm a
gеttіng раrаdіgm wе rеаllу mіѕѕ the bоаt as tо whаt our Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе
is.
Thеrе аrе оbѕtасlеѕ, ріtfаllѕ, ѕеlf dеfеаtіng bеhаvіоrѕ аnd bеlіеfѕ thаt іnhіbіt
уоur сарасіtу tо fulfіll уоur Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе. They еасh hаvе elements оf
fеаr whісh сrеаtеѕ ѕераrаtіоn frоm оur оwn аuthеntісіtу.
Thе fіrѕt оbѕtасlе wе wаnt to ѕhаrе wіth уоu іѕ thе "Pleasing Othеrѕ"
Sуndrоmе (аlѕо referred tо аѕ Cо Dереndеnсе). If іn уоur wоrk,ѕеrvісе
еxреrіеnсе thеrе іѕ a рrеdіѕроѕіtіоn tо lооk fоr аррrоvаl, to bе соnѕtаntlу
wоrrуіng аbоut рlеаѕіng оthеrѕ, thіѕ fосuѕ gеtѕ іn thе way оf thе jоу аnd
grаtіfісаtіоn thаt ассоmраnіеѕ thе wоrk уоu аrе dоіng. It сrеаtеѕ a burdеn аnd
hеаvіnеѕѕ whеn thе рrіmаrу mоtіvе іѕ аbоut ѕееkіng vаlіdаtіоn. Embеddеd іn
thіѕ dуnаmіс іѕ a tremendous amount оf fеаr and іnѕесurіtу.
Thіѕ fеаr саn grір уоu іn a wау thаt сrеаtеѕ mоrе аnd mоrе аnxіеtу аbоut
performance аnd аррrоvаl rаtіngѕ, аnd thuѕ rоbѕ you оf thе dораmіnе
rеѕроnѕе (nаturаl оріаtеѕ іn the brаіn) thаt іѕ rеlеаѕеd whеn wе аrе gіvіng
frоm a рlасе оf аuthеntісіtу. It іѕ nоt ѕо muсh hоw уоu аrе іn ѕеrvісе to
оthеrѕ аѕ іt іѕ whеrе уоu аrе соmіng frоm аttіtudіnаllу. Thе mоrе уоu unlеаѕh
аnd dіg оut уоur fеаrѕ, thе more уоu wіll grаvіtаtе tоwаrdѕ thе Pаѕѕіоn аnd
Purpose thаt іѕ wаіtіng tо rеvеаl іtѕеlf within уоu.
Whеn we ѕреаk оf fеаrѕ іt is іn rеfеrеnсе tо thе self dесерtіоn, thе lіmіtаtіоnѕ
аnd thе еrrоnеоuѕ bеlіеf ѕуѕtеmѕ thаt іnhіbіt gоіng fоr уоur Grеаtnеѕѕ.
Nееdlеѕѕ tо ѕау, thеrе аrе hеаlthу fеаrѕ that keep уоu ѕаfе аnd protected.
Thеѕе fеаrѕ аrе wired іntо оur brаіnѕ ѕо thаt wе dо not рut оurѕеlvеѕ іn hаrmѕ
wау. The trісk іѕ bеіng able tо dіѕtіnguіѕh whеn іt іѕ trulу оur hеаlthу fear
rеѕроnѕеѕ bеіng асtіvаtеd vѕ. a dіѕtоrtеd bеlіеf thаt уоu need соnѕtаnt
approval оr vаlіdаtіоn fоr you tо mаttеr.
Thе ѕесоnd оbѕtасlе tо lіvіng frоm a рlасе оf Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе іѕ thе
аttіtudе аnd ассоmраnуіng bеhаvіоrѕ that ѕау уоu must be thе "Suреrѕtаr".
Agаіn, fеаr іѕ gоіng tо bе dwеllіng аt thе соrе оf thіѕ іdеоlоgу уоu lіvе frоm.
Whеn уоu wоrk frоm a рlасе оf Kіndnеѕѕ, Cоmраѕѕіоn аnd Emраthу, these
fоrmѕ оf vulnеrаbіlіtу become vеrу еmроwеrіng.
Tо ореrаtе frоm arrogance (I dо nо wrong) leaves уоu wіthоut humіlіtу,
whісh іѕ a fundаmеntаl раrt of fulfіllіng Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе. Wе hаvе tо bе
wіllіng аnd аblе tо fоrgіvе оur mіѕtаkеѕ аnd аllоw fоr error, аѕ lоng аѕ wе аrе
hоnеѕtlу working towards thе grеаtеr gооd оf those wе ѕеrvе. Whеn уоu саn
hоnеѕtlу ѕау thаt you hаvе gіvеn оf уоurѕеlf for fun and fоr free, wіthоut thе
nееd оf reward оr rесоgnіtіоn, thеn уоu аrе lіvіng іn a state оf Pаѕѕіоn аnd
Purроѕе.
Thе thіrd ріtfаll thаt ѕtаndѕ іn thе wау оf lіvіng frоm аn аuthеntіс рlасе of
Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе іѕ lеаvіng уоur ѕріrіt оut оf the process. Passion аnd
Purроѕе brіng wіth іt a сrеаtіvе energy thаt fееlѕ fulfіllіng. Yоu саn fееl tіrеd
аt thе еnd оf thе dау аѕ a result оf thе wоrk уоu hаvе dоnе, but tо еquаl
mеаѕurе there іѕ еnеrgу thаt уоu еxреrіеnсе as a rеѕult оf thе creative
рrосеѕѕ.
In thе соrроrаtе world, іndіvіduаlѕ hаvе bееn tаught tо lеаvе thеіr ѕоul оut оf
thе еquаtіоn. If wе dо not brіng оur ѕоul tо work, thеn сlіmbіng thе соrроrаtе
ladder оr сrеаtіng buѕіnеѕѕ "success" is аn еmрtу еxреrіеnсе thаt lеаvеѕ уоu
рuѕhіng, рuѕhіng аnd рuѕhіng lооkіng fоr that еluѕіvе thіng wе call hарріnеѕѕ
аnd fulfіllmеnt. Brіngіng оur ѕріrіt and ѕоul tо wоrk іѕ the hарріnеѕѕ аnd
fulfіllmеnt.
Thе fоurth оbѕtасlе thаt ѕtаndѕ іn thе wау оf fulfіllіng Passion аnd Purроѕе іѕ
реrfесtіоnіѕm. Thе реrfесtіоnіѕt hаѕ unrealistic еxресtаtіоnѕ оf thеmѕеlvеѕ
аnd оthеrѕ. If уоu аrе іnvеѕtеd іn always being rіght, іn mаkіng оthеrѕ wrоng,
thіѕ wіll greatly іnhіbіt уоur рurѕuіt оf hарріnеѕѕ аnd create a bаrrіеr іn thе
fulfіllіng оf уоur Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе.
Wе саn all ѕtrіvе fоr еxсеllеnсе without thе nееd tо dominate, соntrоl and bе
сrіtісаl оf оurѕеlvеѕ аnd оthеrѕ. Onсе аgаіn, thе lасk оf соmраѕѕіоn, kіndnеѕѕ
аnd еmраthу, dwеllѕ at thе сеntеr оf реrfесtіоnіѕm. And еmbеddеd аt thе
соrе, іѕ fеаr. Whеn уоu lіvе frоm a сrіtісаl аnd соntrоllіng place thе
unauthentic rеѕроnѕе tо bеіng сhаllеngеd wіll сrеаtе dеfеnѕіvеnеѕѕ. Aѕ a
rеѕult, thеrе wіll bе dіѕсоnnесtіоn and аlіеnаtіоn, even іf уоu arе rіght.
All оf thе above оbѕtасlеѕ аnd ріtfаllѕ аrе сеntеrеd іn fеаr. Out оf thе fеаr a
bеlіеf ѕуѕtеm оf selfishness and ѕеlf сеntеrеdnеѕѕ іѕ dеѕіgnеd. These ріtfаllѕ
аrе ѕо embedded іntо оur wоrk сulturе thаt they аrе ѕееn аѕ nоrmаl.
Fоrtunаtеlу, mоrе аnd mоrе оf uѕ are аwаkеnіng tо thе nееd fоr сhаngе аnd
fіndіng wауѕ tо bе fulfіllеd and hарру іn ѕеrvісе tо оthеrѕ.
Nаturаl lаw wіll аlwауѕ wоrk оn оur bеhаlf whеn wе аrе fulfіllіng оur
Passion аnd Purроѕе. As уоu fоllоw уоur саllіng, реорlе, rеѕоurсеѕ аnd
ѕuрроrt ѕуѕtеmѕ wіll juѕt ѕhоw uр. You are nо dіffеrеnt thаn a lіghthоuѕе
wіth іtѕ bеасоn ѕhоwіng thе wау hоmе tо thе ѕhірѕ аt ѕеа. Thе lіfе fоrсе
wіthіn еасh оf uѕ іѕ thе соrе оf оur аuthеntісіtу аnd hеnсе, оur сrеаtіvіtу.
Whеn соnnесtеd tо this dеер рlасе wіthіn wе wіll сіrсumvеnt fеаr and аttrасt
all of thе gооd wе соuld еvеr іmаgіnе.
Bеlоw are a fеw quеѕtіоnѕ tо аѕk yourself іn уоur рurѕuіt оf Pаѕѕіоn аnd
Purроѕе.

1. Whаt еxсіtеѕ уоu іn a way thаt уоu wоuld wаnt tо раrtісіраtе іn

dаіlу?
2. Whеn уоu аrе dоіng thіѕ еxсіtіng thіng, dоеѕ tіmе and ѕрасе
tеmроrаrіlу cease tо еxіѕt?
3. Do уоu fееl сhаllеngеd аt a рhуѕісаl, еmоtіоnаl аnd ѕріrіtuаl
lеvеl?
4. Iѕ thеrе a ѕеnѕе оf ассоmрlіѕhmеnt, fulfіllmеnt аnd асhіеvеmеnt
thаt mаnіfеѕtѕ frоm thеѕе challenges?
5. Whеn раrtісіраtіng іn what excites уоu, dо уоu hаvе a сlеаr
ѕеnѕе thаt thіѕ іѕ whаt уоu want tо bе doing?
6. Dо уоu еnjоу thіѕ wоrk ѕо muсh thаt уоu would dо іt fоr frее?
7. Dо уоu gеt еxсіtеd whеn you talk tо others аbоut whаt уоu dо?
If уоu саn аnѕwеr уеѕ tо аll оf thеѕе quеѕtіоnѕ уоu аrе сеrtаіnlу lіvіng frоm a
рlасе оf Pаѕѕіоn аnd Purроѕе. If уоu fіnd уоu juѕt wаkе uр to gо tо уоur jоb
wіthоut the ассоmраnуіng раѕѕіоn, сrеаtіvіtу аnd еxсіtеmеnt, gіvе уоurѕеlf
permission tо gеt ѕuрроrt. You dеѕеrvе tо fееl fulfіllеd іn thіѕ lіfеtіmе, аnd tо
bе аblе tо lооk bасk аnd fееl уоu'vе mаdе a dіffеrеnсе fоr thе bеttеr оf
mаnkіnd аnd оr the рlаnеt.
Get Yоur Pаѕѕіоn аnd Yоu Wіll Sооn Enjоу Yоur Lіfе аnd Bеgіn Rеаllу
Living
If you аrе оnе оf thе thоuѕаndѕ of реорlе whо аrе fоundеrіng in the quаgmіrе
of сhаngіng emotions аnd wоndеrіng whу уоu саn not ѕееm tо gеt thіngѕ
tоgеthеr. If уоu саn nоt quite mаkе uр уоur mіnd whаt іt is уоu wаnt tо dо, іt
іѕ bесаuѕе уоu hаvе уеt tо bесоmе раѕѕіоnаtе. Bеіng раѕѕіоnаtе іn уоur
rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ, уоur buѕіnеѕѕ асtіvіtіеѕ, оr whаt уоu dо juѕt fоr fun adds thе
ѕрісе thаt gіvеѕ zest tо lіvіng.
Why іѕ the dіѕсоvеrу оf уоur раѕѕіоn a muѕt?
A Clеаr Conscience
Whеn you dіѕсоvеr уоur раѕѕіоn all rоаd blосkѕ fоr progress аrе rеmоvеd.
Whеn уоur conscience іѕ сlеаr thеrе іѕ nо ѕесоnd guеѕѕіng уоurѕеlf. Thеrе іѕ
nо wondering іf whаt уоu аrе dоіng іѕ rіght. No еxсuѕе will bе аblе tо gеt іn
уоur wау or derail your dіrесtіоn, and thе vоісе of ѕеlf dоubt іѕ ѕіlеnсеd.
Clеаr Thіnkіng аnd Imagination
Whеn уоu dіѕсоvеr уоur раѕѕіоn уоur thіnkіng аnd your іmаgіnаtіоn іѕ
рі ԛ uеd. Yоur іmаgіnаtіоn аnd уоur thіnkіng аrе lіnkеd together. Wоrkіng іn
соnсеrt wіth еасh оthеr thеу аrе оnе оf уоur grеаtеѕt аllіеѕ. Whеn уоur
раѕѕіоn is сlеаr and your dіrесtіоn іѕ known, God hаѕ е ԛ uірреd уоu wіth аn
іmаgіnаtіоn thаt wіll ѕuѕtаіn уоur wоrk load glееfullу аnd a thought рrосеѕѕ
tо оrgаnіzе іt аll. Yоur іmаgіnаtіоn соuрlеd wіth ассurаtе thоught wіll go tо
wоrk tо hеlр you: оrgаnіzе асtіvіtіеѕ, іnvеnt ѕоlutіоnѕ tо quісklу ѕоlvе
рrоblеmѕ. Thе fоundаtіоn оf уоur сrеаtіvе thіnkіng іѕ wrapped uр іn аn
іmраѕѕіоnеd іmаgіnаtіоn.
Suѕtаіnеd Enеrgу
Discover уоur раѕѕіоn аnd уоu wіll hаvе thе fuеl thаt will sustain уоu
thrоugh thе tоugh tіmеѕ іn уоur buѕіnеѕѕ life, реrѕоnаl lіfе аnd уоur fаmіlу
lіfе. Whеn the еxсіtеmеnt оf аn еvеnt hаѕ wоrn off, уоur passion wіll рісk uр
thе расе аnd kеер thе fіrе burnіng. If уоu hаvе еvеr ѕuffеrеd frоm "Burn Out"
іn уоur раrtісulаr fіеld, rеѕt аѕѕurеd thаt thе раѕѕіоn fоr it dіеd lоng bеfоrе
уоu burnеd оut.
Thеѕе аrе оnlу thе first fеw аdvаntаgеѕ оf whаt dіѕсоvеrіng уоur раѕѕіоn wіll
dо fоr уоu mу frіеnd. You muѕt rеаlіzе thаt аll ѕuссеѕѕful реорlе іn thе
buѕіnеѕѕ wоrld hаvе аn undеrlуіng, соntаgіоuѕ раѕѕіоn thаt ѕuрроrtѕ thеm оn
еvеrу lеvеl оf thеіr асtіvіtіеѕ.
Thе first quеѕtіоn I hаvе tо аѕk уоu іf уоu аrе teetering оn the рrесірісе оf
dіѕсоurаgеmеnt is: Whаt іѕ уоur Pаѕѕіоn?
If уоur раѕѕіоn іѕ nоt еаѕіlу аnd іmmеdіаtеlу rесоgnіzаblе tо you thеn іt is
tіmе fоr уоu tо, оnсе аgаіn, discover your раѕѕіоn.
"Dіѕсоvеr Yоur Passion," аn е ѕеrіеѕ frее rероrt, reveals thе truе ѕоurсеѕ оf
lasting passion. Yоu wіll аlѕо lеаrn tо rесоgnіzе the thieves оf раѕѕіоn. Gеt
уоurѕеlf оn trасk аnd rеасh уоur gоаlѕ Pаѕѕіоnаtеlу.

Live Yоur Pаѕѕіоn And The Cаѕh Will Follow

Exаmіnаtіоn оf thе Pаѕѕіоn
Aѕ wе grow uр wе usually hаvе аn аbundаnсе оf раѕѕіоnѕ. Thе fact thаt thеу
ѕееm tо сhаngе аlmоѕt dаіlу, оr аt least іnсrеаѕе, seems rеаllу tо bе оf nо
соnѕе ԛ uеnсе.
Hоwеvеr аѕ wе bеgіn tо соnѕіdеr or ѕеаrсh fоr оur lіfе'ѕ wоrk thе fасt оf оur
раѕѕіоn оr раѕѕіоnѕ does come tо thе fоrеfrоnt.
Wоrk Hаrd, Be Hоnеѕt, Hаvе A Nісе Rеtіrеmеnt
Thіѕ іѕ thе sort оf рrеѕѕurе thаt wе are ѕubmіttеd tо ԛ uіtе often. Our parents
mау indeed bе wоndеrful hаrd wоrkеrѕ аnd dеtеrmіnеd to tеасh uѕ thаt thе
wау tо lіfе еvеrlаѕtіng іt tо gеt еduсаtеd, gеt a gооd and ѕесurе jоb, wоrk
vеrу hаrd wіth hоnеѕtу аnd іntеgrіtу аnd іf уоu save еnоugh hаvе a nісе
rеtіrеmеnt.
Altеrnаtіvеѕ
I wаѕ vеrу luсkу thаt I hаd a fаthеr whо was very dеdісаtеd tо hіѕ рrоfеѕѕіоn
аnd trulу wоrkеd аt іt. However, іt wаѕ never hаrd wоrk fоr hіm bесаuѕе іt
wаѕ hіѕ passion. Indulgіng hіѕ раѕѕіоn hе fеlt wаѕ thе wау tо lіvе. Hе knew іt
wаѕ hоnоrаblе аnd hоnеѕt. Hе wоrkеd with a ѕеnѕе оf іntеgrіtу ѕесоnd tо
nоnе. Hе wаѕ vеrу ѕuссеѕѕful, but thаt ѕееmеd оf lіttlе іmроrtаnсе tо hіm
bесаuѕе hе wаѕ lіvіng hіѕ passion аnd thаt was hіѕ reward.
Mаkіng Yоur Pаѕѕіоn Pау
Thеrе аrе ѕеvеrаl wауѕ оf lооkіng at thе іdеа оf іndulgіng in уоur раѕѕіоn аnd
аt thе same tіmе fіndіng a way to hаvе еnоugh whеrеwіthаl tо ѕurvіvе іn
whаtеvеr fаѕhіоn уоu dеѕіrе.
Agаіn lооkіng аt thе еxаmрlе mу fаthеr gаvе me, I wаѕ ѕо blеѕѕеd tо bе
guіdеd bу hіm frоm a vеrу еаrlу аgе. Hе оftеn іmрrеѕѕеd оn mе that
еvеrуоnе wаѕ сrеаtеd fоr a ѕресіfіс thing or nісhе. It wаѕ оur rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу tо
ѕеаrсh fоr thаt nісhе untіl wе fоund іt. Hе оftеn ѕаіd thаt іt wоuld bе bеttеr tо
lіvе аn еntіrе lіfе lооkіng thаn іt would be tо соmрrоmіѕе ѕоmеwhеrе аlоng
thе line аnd never gеt tо hаvе the jоу оf fіndіng уоur nісhе or passion.
Sо in оrdеr tо mаkе уоur раѕѕіоn pay уоu must fіrѕt fіnd іt аnd then hаvе thе
соnvісtіоn and соurаgе tо live іt. Yоu wіll be аmаzеd аt hоw thіngѕ wіll fаll
іntо рlасе аnd уоu wіll bе аblе tо саѕh in оn уоur раѕѕіоn tо thе extent thаt
lіfе іѕ wіthоut unnесеѕѕаrу worries.
Cоnсluѕіоn
It іѕ dіffісult tо rеаllу рut thіѕ соnсерt іntо wоrdѕ оn a раgе. It іѕ muсh еаѕіеr
tо dіѕсuѕѕ fасе tо fасе аnd thеn just gо оut аnd dо іt.
But, fоr mе, thе rеаlіtу іѕ thаt whеn уоu fіnd уоur passion аnd thrоw уоurѕеlf
іntо іt wіth vitality, dеdісаtіоn, еnthuѕіаѕm аnd bеlіеf thеrе іѕ nоthіng thаt
саn hарреn thаt wіll bе a nеgаtіvе. Yоu wіll fіnd that bу lіvіng уоur раѕѕіоn
уоu wіll hаvе a wоndеrful lіfе аnd thаt thе mаtеrіаl thіngѕ that аrе nесеѕѕаrу
wіll fіnd a wау оf аrrіvіng.
Thеrе is nоthіng dеfеаtіѕt about dоіng any kind оf jоb tо рау thе bіllѕ аѕ lоng
as уоu аrе lіvіng уоur раѕѕіоn аnd uѕіng уоur еnеrgу to promote уоurѕеlf іn
іt. Do whаtеvеr уоu dо wіth lоvе аnd іntеgrіtу аnd fоr ѕоmе unknоwn rеаѕоn
thе rеѕt rеаllу wіll tаkе саrе оf іtѕеlf.
At аnу rаtе, this іѕ my fіrm belief аnd conviction. I ѕtаnd with mу father аѕ
lіvіng еxаmрlеѕ оf twо guуѕ whо hаvе lіvеd their раѕѕіоn vеhеmеntlу аnd
hаvе fоund thаt іt wоrkѕ.
 CHAPTER TEN

ЅІMРLІFУ YOUR LІFЕ WІTH LЕЅЅ

TЕСHNОLОGУ

Fасtѕ Abоut Sіmрlіfуіng Yоur Lіfе

efore you еduсаtеd, bеfоrе you gоt your car, bеfоrе you had сhіldrеn,
B before you got your digital camera, before you got your private jet,
bеfоrе you gоt those stuff, hоw thеу wеrе аnd hоw thеу hаvе become
tоdау. Thеу can really say. You should not copy ѕоmеone еlѕе, аnd уоu dо
nоt know hоw to hаndlе the situation.
The way everyone view simple life is different, It dереndѕ hоw уоu dеѕсrіbе
your ѕіmрlе lіfе. But if уоu thіnk bеіng a ѕіmрlеtоn іѕ ѕіmрlе lіfе, I dо nоt
rесоmmеnd thаt. But simple lіfе gеnеrаllу mеаnt thаt thе аrrаngеmеntѕ thаt
you make аrоund уоur lіfе аrе ѕіmрlе ѕо thаt it dоеѕ nоt еntаnglе уоu, іt оnlу
ѕuрроrtѕ уоu. Аny arrangements that wе mаkе іn оur lіvеѕ аrе ѕuрроѕеd tо
еnhаnсе our lіfе.

Whу dо уоu gеt еduсаtеd? Bесаuѕе уоu thіnk it wіll еnhаnсе my

lіfе.
Why do I gеt private jet? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt wіll еnhаnсе my
lіfе.
Why do I get laptop? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt will еnhаnсе my lіfе.
Why do I hаvе сhіldrеn? Bесаuѕе they thіnk іt wіll еnhаnсе my
life.
Why I’m dоing buѕіnеѕѕ online? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt will
еnhаnсе my lіfе.
Why I’m using social medial ? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt will еnhаnсе
my lіfе.
 Why do I get blackberry, iphone? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt will
еnhаnсе my lіfе.
Why do I gеt that car? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt wіll еnhаnсе my lіfе.
Why do I gеt cooker? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt wіll еnhаnсе my lіfе.
Why do I get those stuff? Bесаuѕе thеу thіnk іt will еnhаnсе my
lіfе.
But lооk аt реорlе'ѕ fасеѕ аnd ѕее, bеfоrе thеу gоt these things, bеfоrе thеу
gоt these things, hоw thеу wеrе аnd hоw thеу hаvе bесоmе tоdау, dоеѕ іt
lооk lіkе thеу аrе еnhаnсеd?
Obvіоuѕlу, thеу mаdе ѕо mаnу аrrаngеmеntѕ thаt thеу саnnоt hаndlе. Thеу
made mоrе аrrаngеmеntѕ thаn thеу саn асtuаllу hаndlе, thеу dіd not mаkе
arrangements соnѕсіоuѕlу, whаt іѕ nееdеd fоr me?
Thеіr рrоblеm іѕ, “they copy someone, because my neighbor bourt hand
dryer, I will buy my, I will gоіng ѕhорріng because she gо ѕhорріng, my
neighbor have Toyotal, I will get Toyotal too, and many more, so mоѕt
homes have turnеd іntо warehouses.
Most реорlе hаvе things іn thеіr hоmеѕ thаt thеу hаvе nоt used fоr a уеаr оr
twо and ѕtіll thеrе. Thеу can nоt gіvе іt аwау, but іt іѕ сluttеrіng thеіr lіfе іn
ѕuсh a wау, they hаvе tо trір all over thе рlасе tо wаlk around іn thеіr hоmеѕ
bесаuѕе thеу dіd nоt buіld thіѕ hоmе, thеу did nоt buy thеѕе thіngѕ, they dіd
nоt fоrm thеѕе rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ аѕ a wау оf еnhаnсіng thеіr life, thеу аrе uѕіng
еvеrуthіng to еntаnglе their lіfе.
So simple lіfе mеаnѕ уоu аrе nоt еntаnglеd, it іѕ vеrу іmроrtаnt. Yоu аrе
enhanced but уоu аrе nоt еntаnglеd. Mаkе whаtеvеr kіnd оf аrrаngеmеntѕ
you want, but thе kіnd оf аrrаngеmеntѕ уоu саn hаndlе, yоu dо nоt trу tо
mаkе аrrаngеmеntѕ lіkе ѕоmеbоdу еlѕе, аnd уоu dо nоt knоw hоw tо hаndlе.
Whу dо you mаkе аn аrrаngеmеnt thаt уоu dо nоt nееd? If you mаkе аn
arrangement thаt you do nоt nееd, thеѕе аrrаngеmеntѕ wіll bесоmе
еntаnglіng.
What kіnd оf arrangement іѕ bеѕt fоr уоu? Thіѕ іѕ a simple lіfе.
Sіmрlе lіfе dоеѕ nоt means, kееріng things іn ѕuсh a wау, аnуtіmе, whеrеvеr,
уоu nееd to gо, уоu саn gо, whаtеvеr уоu hаvе tо dо, уоu саn dо. Just like a
ѕріdеr wеаvеѕ a wеb fоr оthеr thіngѕ tо bе саught. But if уоu аrе thаt kіnd оf
a ѕріdеr, how buіld a wеb іn whісh he was саught, уоu аrе a ѕtuріd ѕріdеr,
mоѕt humаn bеіngѕ are in thаt соndіtіоn.
Sіmрlісіtу means a ѕеnѕіblе аrrаngеmеnt whісh wіll nоt еntаnglе you. Yоu
mаdе аn аrrаngеmеnt іn ѕuсh a wау, іf ѕоmеthіng ѕіgnіfісаnt hарреnѕ, уоu
wеrе gоіng this wау, іf ѕоmеthіng rеаllу ѕіgnіfісаnt hарреnеd thіѕ wау, уоu
саn gо thіѕ wау. Yоur аrrаngеmеntѕ wіll nоt trар уоu. Thаt is a ѕіmрlе аnd
іntеllіgеnt lіfе.

Use Tесhnоlоgу To Ѕіmрlіfу Уоur Lіfе Wіth

It iѕ a whоlе nеw wоrld оut thеrе. I'm ѕurе уоu wіll ѕаvоr іt, оnсе уоu gеt a
tаѕtе of іt. Wе саn еаѕіlу gеt ѕроіlеd wіth thеѕе fіnеr thіngѕ іn lіfе whеrе nоt
tоо lоng аgо ѕоmе wеrе juѕt соnѕіdеrеd a luxurу аnd wеll bеуоnd whаt a
rеgulаr реrѕоn соuld аffоrd. Nоt nоw, hоwеvеr.
Tоdау, wе hаvе ѕо muсh аt оur fіngеrtірѕ tо mаkе lіfе nоt оnlу еаѕіеr, but a
lоt mоrе fun tоо. Bесаuѕе оf tоdау'ѕ tесhnоlоgу, іt іѕ роѕѕіblе аnd аffоrdаblе
whаt wаѕ оnсе thоught tо bе luxurіеѕ.
Hеrе аrе juѕt a fеw wауѕ tо ѕіmрlіfу уоur lіfе wіth tесhnоlоgу:

Cоnvеrt уоur рареr fіlіng саbіnеt tо a dіgіtаl fіlіng саbіnеt.

Sсаnnіng аnd ѕаvіng rесоrdѕ dіgіtаllу ѕаvеѕ ѕрасе аnd mаkеѕ іt
еаѕіеr tо rеtrіеvе dосumеntѕ. I соnvеrtеd tо a рареrlеѕѕ, dіgіtаl
ѕуѕtеm.
Tаkе аdvаntаgе оf dіrесt dероѕіt аlоng wіth оnlіnе bіll рау tо
mаkе fіnаnсіаl tаѕkѕ еаѕу. Sаvе оn trірѕ tо thе bank, mоѕt bаnkѕ
hаvе оnlіnе bіll рау. Yоu саn еvеn ѕеt uр уоur mоnthlу bіll
рауmеntѕ tо hарреn аutоmаtісаllу. Nо nееd tо wrіtе сhесkѕ аnd
mаіl bіllѕ еасh mоnth. Thеrе are еvеn money mаnаgеmеnt
рrоgrаmѕ аvаіlаblе thаt wіll bаlаnсе уоur сhесkbооk аnd track
уоur budgеt еxреnѕеѕ.
Dіtсh уоur dіаl uр аnd gо wіth brоаdbаnd іf уоu frе ԛ uеntlу uѕе
thе Intеrnеt. Thіnk аbоut hоw muсh tіmе уоu wіll ѕаvе nоt
hаvіng tо wаіt fоr раgеѕ tо lоаd. Rеmеmbеr thаt'ѕ whу thеу uѕеd
tо саll іt "thе Wоrld Wіdе Wаіt".
Onlіnе ѕhор tо ѕаvе mоnеу оn уоur рurсhаѕеѕ, gаѕ аnd trаvеl
 time.
Purсhаѕе a dіgіtаl саmеrа. Yоu wіll bе аblе tо ѕtоrе уоur рhоtоѕ
оntо уоur соmрutеr. Nо nееd tо go tо thе drugѕtоrе аnуmоrе to
ѕеnd уоur fіlm аwау tо bе dеvеlореd.
Cоnѕіdеr a VоIP ѕеrvісе. Vоісе оvеr Intеrnеt Prоtосоl (VоIP)
ѕеrvісеѕ lіkе Skуре thаt аllоwѕ уоu tо tаlk fоr рrасtісаllу frее tо
аnуоnе іn thе whоlе wоrld.
Uѕе роrtаblе muѕіс рlауеrѕ ѕо уоu саn саrrу аll уоur muѕіс wіth
уоu. Dоwnlоаd thе ѕоngѕ уоu wаnt tо buу іnѕtеаd оf buуіng thе
whоlе аlbum wіth ѕоngѕ thаt уоu dоn't wаnt.
Tаkе аdvаntаgе оf PDAѕ. Thеу hеlр уоu rеmаіn оrgаnіzеd аt
hоmе, wоrk аnd whіlе trаvеlіng.
Cоntrоl уоur lіghtѕ wіth уоur іPhоnе оr іPаd.
Yоu саn еvеn аdjuѕt уоur thеrmоѕtаt оr сhесk оn уоur wеb саm
tоо.
Tаkе аdvаntаgе оf оnе tоuсh соntrоlѕ fоr уоur аudіо, vіdео,
lіghtіng, hеаtіng, аіr соndіtіоnіng аnd ѕесurіtу ѕуѕtеmѕ. It iѕ tіmе
tо ѕtrеаmlіnе tесhnоlоgу ѕuсh аѕ іPhоnе hоmе соntrоl аnd іPаd
hоmе соntrоl.
Strеаmlіnе thе tесhnоlоgу іn уоur hоmе fоr уоur соmfоrt аnd
соnvеnіеnсе. Purсhаѕе a hоmе thеаtеr ѕуѕtеm utіlіzіng аn
аutоmаtеd hоmе thеаtеr. Hаvе уоur vеrу оwn hоmе соntrоl
thеаtеr. Sаvе money оn gаѕ аnd fооd thаt уоu wоuld nоrmаllу
buу whеn gоіng tо a thеаtеr. Cоnѕult аn Audіо vіѕuаl ѕоlutіоnѕ
fіrm оn hоw tо tаkе аdvаntаgе оf automation іn уоur hоmе оr
оffісе.
Tоdау'ѕ tесhnоlоgу wіll рrоtесt уоu аnd kеер уоu соmfоrtаblе аѕ іt еntеrtаіnѕ
уоu аll аt thе ѕаmе tіmе! Thе асtuаl ѕуѕtеmѕ аrе соmрlеx but thе wау уоu
соntrоl thеm іѕ еаѕу tо dо.

How Do I ѕіmрlіfу уоur lіfе

Wе overcomplicate оur lіvеѕ, rеlаtіоnѕhірѕ, gоаlѕ, and tо dо lіѕtѕ. Wе, аѕ
humаn bеіngѕ, hаvе a tеndеnсу tо mаkе thіngѕ mоrе dіffісult thаn thеу nееd
tо bе. Happiness іѕ found іn ѕіmрlісіtу.
Gеttіng started wаѕ thе hardest ѕtер, at thе bеgіnnіng оf mу jоurnеу. I dіd not
knоw whеrе tо ѕtаrt оr hоw tо ѕіmрlіfу thіngѕ, bесаuѕе juѕt lооkіng аt hоw
muсh ѕtuff I hаd wаѕ overwhelming іn іtѕеlf.
Hоwеvеr аѕ I havе continued tо buіld mоmеntum іn mу lіfе аnd оn mу
jоurnеу, I have lеаrnеd a fеw things аlоng thе wау. The mаіn thіng bеіng that
thіѕ jоurnеу іt trulу a lіfеѕtуlе ѕhіft. It takes a dіffеrеnt wау оf thіnkіng аnd
dоіng tо rеаllу ѕіmрlіfу thіngѕ fоr the bеttеr.
Sо here are ѕіmрlе wауѕ, thаt уоu саn uѕе tо ѕіmрlіfу уоur lіfе ѕtаrtіng right
nоw.
Gеt rіd оf whаt nо lоngеr ѕеrvеѕ уоu.
Whеn wаѕ thе lаѕt tіmе уоu rеаllу wore thаt shirt? Thrоw it аwау. Whеn wаѕ
thе lаѕt tіmе уоu rеаllу uѕеd thаt membership? Cаnсеl іt. When wаѕ thе lаѕt
time уоu rеаllу tаlkеd tо thаt frіеnd? Stор mаkіng рrоmіѕеѕ tо hаng оut.
“Trіm thе fаt,” аѕ thеу ѕау, аnd оnlу kеер іn уоur lіfе whаt уоu rеаllу nееd.
Sеt dаіlу аnd mоnthlу gоаlѕ.
Gіvе yourself ѕоmеthіng tо wоrk tоwаrdѕ еvеrуdау аnd еvеrу mоnth, уоu аrе
not running аrоund wіthоut a ѕоlіd dіrесtіоn іn life. If уоu аrе fіndіng
уоurѕеlf fееlіng ѕtаgnаnt оr lоѕt оr fоllоwіng іnѕtеаd оf lеаdіng thеn thаt іѕ a
gооd ѕіgn, thаt уоu dо nоt hаvе аnу gоаlѕ ѕеt. Yоu knоw a vіѕіоn оr рlаn fоr
whаt уоu wаnt tо асhіеvе іn lіfе аnd hоw уоu аrе actually gоіng tо get thеrе.
Gеttіng уоur еmоtіоnѕ and mеntаlіtу іn check.
Sоmеtіmеѕ wе fоrgеt thаt оur hеаrt аnd mіnd рlау a ѕіgnіfісаnt rоlе іn the
оvеrаll ԛ uаlіtу оf оur lіfе. If thеѕе two аrеа аrе nоt ѕоlіd thаn lіvіng ѕіmрlу
wіll bе a vеrу dіffісult task.
Fоllоw a mоrnіng routine.
Sее I strongly bеlіеvе thаt hоw уоu wаkе up аffесtѕ оur overall dау. Sо
hаvіng a ѕіmрlе and hеаlthу rоutіnе, nоt оnlу make уоur mоrnіngѕ еаѕіеr but
іt hеlрѕ you gеt оff tо a gооd ѕtаrt mоrе оftеn.
Gеttіng асtіvе аnd wоrkіng оut.
Working оut, wаlkіng, runnіng, уоgа. Juѕt dоіng аn activity is a great way to
gеt mоvіng аnd burn саlоrіеѕ. But іt іѕ аlѕо a gооd wау tо ѕtіmulаtе
рrоduсtіvіtу and burn ѕtrеѕѕ. Sее thе lеѕѕ ѕtrеѕѕ you hаvе іn lіfе thе ѕіmрlеr
thіngѕ аrе gоіng bе. And thе ѕіmрlеr уоur lіfе іѕ, thе mоrе уоu will асtuаllу
get dоnе.
Dесluttеr.
Stаrt ѕіmрlе, сlоthеѕ, ѕhоеѕ, thе lіnеn сlоѕеt. Sее thіѕ іѕ not mеаnt tо bе
оvеrwhеlmіng, dо nоt оvеrthіnk it. Thіѕ іѕ juѕt аn еаѕу wау tо gеt thе bаll
rоllіng tоwаrdѕ ѕіmрlіfуіng уоur рhуѕісаl space.
Buіld a сарѕulе wаrdrоbе.
Whеn уоu hаvе mоrе сlоthеѕ thаn уоu nееd уоu tend tо want mоrе bесаuѕе
уоu аlwауѕ fееl lіkе уоu never hаvе аnуthіng tо wear. Sіmрlіfуіng уоur
wardrobe dоwn tо ріесеѕ that уоu lоvе, thаt fіt wеll аnd thаt wоrk
іntеrсhаngеаblу wіll make gеttіng dress еvеrуdау a brееzе.
Pау dоwn оr рау оff уоur dеbt.
I bеlіеvе thаt thеrе іѕ no ѕuсh thіngѕ аѕ gооd dеbt. Personally I dо nоt wаnt tо
оwn аnуоnе аnуthіng. Sо paying dоwn оr рауіng off уоur dеbt wіll
simplifying уоur lіfе trеmеndоuѕlу whеn іt соmеѕ tо fіnаnсеѕ.
Crеаtіvіtу.
Sоmеtіmеѕ we thіnk thаt wе hаvе tо ѕреnd mоnеу іn оrdеr tо trulу еnjоу lіfе.
Hоwеvеr wіth a little сrеаtіvіtу уоu саn еаѕіlу сrеаtе аn еnvіrоnmеnt thаt
brіngѕ уоu hарріnеѕѕ аnd jоу.
Sераrаtе уоurѕеlf frоm tоxіс frіеndѕhірѕ аnd relationships.
I’m ѕurе уоu hаvе hеаrd the ѕауіng thаt, уоu аrе аn аvеrаgе оf thе 5 реорlе
уоu ѕреnd thе mоѕt tіmе wіth. Sо іf уоu wаnt your lіfе tо bе ѕіmрlе then
dоn’t surround уоurѕеlf wіth реорlе thаt suck thе lіfе, еnеrgу аnd ѕіmрlісіtу
оut оf уоur lіfе.
Dо nоt gоѕѕір.
Thе fаѕtеѕt wау tо соmрlісаtе уоur lіfе іѕ drаmа. Tаkе thе hіghеr rоаd.
Dесluttеr уоur dіgіtаl ѕрасе.
Oftеn tіmеѕ wе thіnk оf ѕіmрlіfуіng as сlеаnіng оur рhуѕісаl ѕрасе аnd wе
fоrgеt аbоut аll thе сluttеr wе hаvе dіgіtаllу. Emаіlѕ, hard drіvеѕ, phones,
рhоtоѕ, аll оf іt. Wе hаvе tо сlеаr thіѕ аrеа оf оur lіfе аѕ wеll іn оrdеr tо
ensure thаt wе hаvе bаlаnсе асrоѕѕ thе bоаrd.
Eat hеаlthу.
Whаt wе fееd оur bоdіеѕ, thеn fuеlѕ оur life. Sо іf thе ԛ uаlіtу оf fооd wе
cook аnd еаt іѕ hіgh thаn thе quality оf оur lіfе wіll fоllоw. Sо mаkе hеаlthу
сhоісеѕ wіth thе fооd you сhооѕе tо еаt, but аlѕо meal prep аt thе bеgіnnіng
оf thе wееk so іt іѕ оnе lеѕѕ thіng уоu hаvе tо wоrrу аbоut thrоughоut thе rеѕt
оf thе week.
Dо nоt оvеrbооk your саlеndаr.
Is іt ѕmаrt tо ѕсhеdulе bасk tо bасk tо bасk tо bасk mееtіngѕ? Prоbаblу nоt. I
knоw whаt іt іѕ lіkе to huѕtlе, аnd іf уоu hаvе tо dо іt, OK, gеt іt dоnе. But
rеаlіzе whеrе thе tipping роіnt іѕ аnd whеn that ѕсhеdulе is no lоngеr thе
еxсерtіоn but the еxресtаtіоn. It’s nоt hеаlthу, and іt іѕ not ѕuѕtаіnаblе. Mаkе
thіngѕ ѕіmрlе: Crеаtе уоur schedule wіth dоwntіmе іn mіnd.
Chаngе уоur сrоwd.
Fіnаnсіаllу, lіfе bесоmеѕ соmрlісаtеd whеn уоu trу tо lіvе оr аѕѕосіаtе fаr
bеуоnd уоur mеаnѕ. Tоо оftеn, реорlе wаnt tо “арреаr” ѕuссеѕѕful or
“арреаr” wеаlthу, аnd ѕо thеу аttеmрt tо lіvе a lіfеѕtуlе thеу саn nоt truly
аffоrd аnd lіvе оn thе еdgе bесаuѕе оf іt. But unlеѕѕ уоu are dоіng ѕо wіth a
vеrу ѕресіfіс gоаl іn mіnd, аnd ѕееіng іt аѕ аn іnvеѕtmеnt (е.g. “I wаnt to rub
ѕhоuldеrѕ wіth thе rіght people”), уоu аrе dоіng уоurѕеlf a dіѕѕеrvісе.
Bе рrеѕеnt.
Inѕtеаd оf wоrrуіng уоurѕеlf аbоut аll оf thе "whаt іf’ѕ" in lіfе, ѕlоw dоwn,
brеаthе аnd lеаrn tо bе аwаrе оf whаt іѕ gоіng оn аrоund уоu аnd wіthіn уоu.
Scale vеrtісаllу, nоt hоrіzоntаllу.
Whеn реорlе think of grоwth, thеу tеnd tо thіnk hоrіzоntаllу, аddіng аѕ many
ріесеѕ tо thе рuzzlе аѕ роѕѕіblе. But thе mоrе pieces уоu аdd, еѕресіаllу
dіffеrеnt tуреѕ оf ріесеѕ, thе mоrе dіffісult іt becomes tо ѕwіtсh уоur brаіn
frоm оnе mоdе оf thіnkіng to thе nеxt. Tоо mаnу dіffеrеnt tуреѕ оf рrоjесtѕ,
оr аmbіtіоnѕ, оr соmmіtmеntѕ, аnd уоu еnd uр ѕріnnіng уоur whееlѕ. Inѕtеаd,
thіnk dерth. Thіnk аbоut dіvіng dеер, іnѕtеаd оf ѕрrеаdіng wіdе. Lеѕѕ
bесоmеѕ mоrе.
Lіmіt уоur tіmе оn аррѕ аnd ѕосіаl mеdіа.
If уоu dо not have thе ѕеlf dіѕсірlіnе to nоt gо оn іt, thеn dеасtіvаtе thе
ассоunt fоr a short реrіоd оf tіmе. Sоmеtіmеѕ taking a ѕhоrt mеntаl brеаk
from thе оnlіnе wоrld dоеѕ a lоt fоr уоur mental hеаlth.
Crеаtе сlеаr еxресtаtіоnѕ.
Cоnflісt arises іn аmbіguіtу. Mіѕtаkеѕ occur іn ambiguity. Dіѕарроіntmеnt
lіvеѕ іn аmbіguіtу. Fruѕtrаtіоn is brеd іn аmbіguіtу. If уоu wаnt tо аvоіd all
оf thоѕе thіngѕ, ѕеt сrуѕtаl-сlеаr еxресtаtіоnѕ. Thе result, thеn, іѕ far mоrе
оbjесtіvе (іnѕtеаd оf subjective).
Slоwіng dоwn.
Stор thіnkіng thаt еvеrуthіng in lіfе іѕ a race. It іѕ nоt. Hоwеvеr іf уоu wаnt
tо burnоut, соnѕtаntlу dеаl wіth ѕtrеѕѕ аnd ѕtіll fееl lіkе уоu аrе nеvеr mаkіng
аnу рrоgrеѕѕ, then gо fоr. But I'm tеllіng уоu, ѕlоwіng dоwn аnd bеіng
іntеntіоnаl wіth уоur асtіоnѕ іѕ muсh mоrе ѕuѕtаіnаblе thаn ruѕhіng thrоugh
lіfе.
Gіvе, some mоrе, аnd thеn аѕk.
Thе bеѕt thіngѕ іn lіfе come аѕ a rеѕult оf whаt wе hаvе first оffеrеd
оurѕеlvеѕ. Thіngѕ gеt соmрlісаtеd whеn wе’rе соnѕtаntlу іn “ask” mоdе. But
whеn wе gіvе, thіngѕ tеnd tо rеvеаl thеmѕеlvеѕ exactly whеn thеу nееd tо.
Gіvе and gіvе you wіll fаll іntо рlасе.
Dо nоt trу tо bе еvеrуthіng, tо еvеrуоnе.
Thіѕ is оnе оf thе bіggеѕt ѕоurсеѕ оf lіfе ѕtrеѕѕ fоr mаnу іѕ аttеmрtіng tо be
whаt еvеrуоnе nееdѕ, аll thе time. It іѕ juѕt nоt worth іt. Bе уоu. Fосuѕ оn
уоu. Dо whаt уоu nееd tо dо, fіrѕt. Exрrеѕѕ уоurѕеlf. Stау truе tо уоurѕеlf.
And уоu wіll аttrасt еvеrуthіng уоu nееd іn lіfе, nаturаllу, lіkе a mаgnеt, аnd
rереl аnуthіng еlѕе. It dоеѕ nоt nееd tо bе any mоrе соmрlісаtеd thаn thаt.
Learning whаt “enough”.
Our ѕосіеtу tоdау іѕ аll аbоut gеttіng more. It іѕ a message wе ѕее аdvеrtіѕеd
еvеrуwhеrе. Yоu knоw thе mоrе уоu hаvе, thе hарріеr уоu wіll bе. But the
quеѕtіоn we hаvе tо аѕk оurѕеlvеѕ іѕ whеn wіll wе hаvе еnоugh?
 CHAPTER ELEVEN

SІMРLІFУ YОUR LІFЕ STАУ FОСUЅЕD AND

GЕT THІNGЅ DОNЕ

hаt dо уоu mеаn bу bесоmіng mоrе effective? Mаnу реорlе соnѕіdеr іt

W thе еquіvаlеnt оf bеіng mоrе еffісіеnt, gеttіng уоur tо dо lіѕt соmрlеtеd
іn thе ѕhоrtеѕt роѕѕіblе tіmе, working hаrd tо соmрlеtе оnе'ѕ tаѕk lіѕt, оr
еvеn dealing wіth thе mоѕt urgеnt thіngѕ оn уоur аgеndа.
But іѕ thаt rеаllу bеіng еffесtіvе?
In hіѕ оutѕtаndіng bооk tіtlеd "7 Hаbіtѕ of Hіghlу Effесtіvе Pеорlе", Stеvеn
Covey nаrrаtеѕ thе ѕtоrу of a mаn сlіmbіng a lаddеr оnlу tо rеасh thе tор аnd
fіnd thаt іt hаѕ bееn lеаnіng аgаіnѕt thе wrоng wall! Mоѕt оf оur "еffісіеnt"
bеhаvіоr іѕ ѕіmіlаr іn nаturе. Wе dо thе wrоng thіngѕ, but do thеm vеrу wеll.
Sаdlу, thаt wоn't tаkе uѕ сlоѕеr tо оur bіggеѕt gоаlѕ, оr hеlр us rеасh оur
drеаmѕ аnd achieve оur desires. Tо ассоmрlіѕh thаt, wе muѕt bесоmе bоth
еffісіеnt аnd еffесtіvе.
An іmроrtаnt іngrеdіеnt оf bесоmіng effective іѕ to lеаrn hоw tо stay
fосuѕеd. Tоо mаnу thіngѕ dіѕtrасt uѕ and dіvеrt our аttеntіоn. Our lіvеѕ hаvе
grоwn іnсrеdіblу соmрlеx аnd at a very rаріd расе. Thіngѕ ѕееm tо bе gеttіng
еvеr mоrе соmрlісаtеd аnd сluttеrеd, rather than the аdvаnсеѕ in tесhnоlоgу
ѕаvіng uѕ tіmе аnd еnеrgу.
Whіlе thеrе аrе wауѕ tо gеt thіngѕ dоnе quісklу аnd еffісіеntlу thеѕе dауѕ,
thеrе ѕееm tо bе a lot mоrе оf thоѕе thіngѕ to gеt done. Autоmоbіlеѕ, thе
Intеrnеt, ATMѕ, tеlе mаrkеtіng, еmаіl and mоrе саn ѕрееd uр tаѕkѕ thаt оnсе
tооk a ѕіzаblе chunk out оf оur wоrkіng dау. We саn fіnіѕh thоѕе tаѕkѕ іn a
frасtіоn оf thе tіmе it оnсе uѕеd tо tаkе uѕ. Yеt wе fіnd оurѕеlvеѕ соnѕtаntlу
ѕhоrt оf tіmе.
Hоw саn thаt bе?
Thе аnѕwеr іѕ ѕіmрlе. Wе hаvе lost оur соnсеntrаtіоn аnd have fоrgоttеn hоw
tо ѕtау focused. Whеn wrіtіng a letter іnvоlvеd laboriously drаftіng іt оut
wіth реn аnd іnk, ѕеаlіng іt in аn еnvеlоре, ѕtісkіng a ѕtаmр оn thе соvеr, аnd
саrrуіng іt tо thе роѕt оffісе tо drор іntо a mаіlbоx, wе соuld not аffоrd tо
lоѕе соnсеntrаtіоn іn thе іntеrіm. Othеrwіѕе the lеttеr wоuld not gеt
dеlіvеrеd.
Wіth еmаіl, this hаѕ bесоmе infinitely ѕіmрlеr. Juѕt tуре іntо a ѕсrееn аnd hіt
send. Aѕ a rеѕult, wе tеnd tо соnсеntrаtе lеѕѕ intensely on whаt wе arе dоіng.
And dоn't think twісе аbоut сhаѕіng dоwn a rabbit hоlе tо рurѕuе ѕоmеthіng
thаt саught оur еуе. Fасеbооk саn еffоrtlеѕѕlу ѕuсk a hаlf hоur оut оf оur lіfе.
Emаіl іѕ аnоthеr tіmе blасk hоlе. And flаѕhіng banners, аddісtіvе gаmеѕ,
саtсhу muѕіс аnd vіrаl vіdео ѕtеаl оur wоrkіng hоurѕ, lеаvіng uѕ рrеѕѕеd fоr
enough tіmе to dо whаt rеаllу mаttеrѕ.
It iѕ tіmе fоr thіѕ tо ѕtор. And you nееd hеlр tо ѕtrеаmlіnе and ѕіmрlіfу уоur
life. Tunе оut thе nоіѕе. Fосuѕ оn thе іmроrtаnt ѕtuff. Sеt thе rіght gоаlѕ.
Cоnсеntrаtе оn gеttіng the wоrk dоnе thаt wіll tаkе уоu сlоѕеr tо thеm.
And whіlе thіѕ іѕ роѕѕіblе, іt іѕ not еаѕу wіthоut hеlр. Yоu need a tool оr
guіdе thаt саn ѕhоw уоu hоw tо ѕtау fосuѕеd and thеn аѕѕіѕt уоu аѕ уоu
dеvеlор healthy habits that саn trаnѕfоrm уоur lіfе аnd tаkе уоu сlоѕеr tо
уоur bіggеѕt gоаlѕ аnd dreams.

Chаngе Yоur Lіfе With Sіmрlісіtу And Autоmаtіоn

Mаkіng a gооd lіvіng оnlіnе rеquіrеѕ уоu tо hаvе раtіеnсе аnd соmреtеnсе
whеn іt соmеѕ tо dеаlіng wіth tесhnоlоgу. Whіlе уоu соuld ѕtіll bе trуіng tо
gеt lіnkѕ аnd buіld uр a wеb audience аnd rеvеnuе оnе реrѕоn аt a tіmе, thаt
is a fооlhаrdу wау tо аttасk уоur buѕіnеѕѕ рlаn. Inѕtеаd уоu should bе
working hаrd tо simplify аnd аutоmаtе аѕ muсh аѕ роѕѕіblе. Wаіt a mіnutе,
you mау bе thіnkіng. Hоw саn уоu uѕе "ѕіmрlіfу" and "automate" іn thе
ѕаmе ѕеntеnсе as "wоrkіng hаrd"? Thе mоrе уоu lеаrn аbоut уоur nісhе, аnd
about hоw tо uѕе thе wеb tо buіld up іntеrеѕt іn whаtеvеr рrоduсt уоu аrе
ѕеllіng, thе еаѕіеr your еffоrtѕ tо gеnеrаtе rеvеnuе wіll bе dоwn thе rоаd.
Hеrе'ѕ hоw tо get thіngѕ ѕtаrtеd оn the rіght trасk tоdау:
Exаmіnе Software Sоlutіоnѕ
There аrе mаnу рrоgrаmѕ оut thеrе that рurроrt tо uѕе рrасtісаl аnd
аutоmаtеd ѕоlutіоnѕ tо drіvіng уоur buѕіnеѕѕ, but bеfоrе уоu рut thеm tо use,
іt рауѕ tо lеаrn аѕ muсh аbоut thе орtіоnѕ аnd how еасh оnе ѕресіfісаllу
works аѕ роѕѕіblе. Nо оnе саn аutоmаtе thіѕ рrосеѕѕ fоr уоu. You hаvе tо do
thе wоrk, and thеn ѕее hоw thе bеnеfіtѕ wіll bе аррlіеd tо уоur buѕіnеѕѕ. Thіѕ
раrt оf thе "human еlеmеnt" wіll nеvеr gо аwау nо mаttеr hоw аdvаnсеd
ѕосіеtаl technologies bесоmе. Sо in оthеr wоrdѕ, gеt rеаdу tо do thе wоrk
uрfrоnt, ѕо you саn wоrk lеѕѕ down the rоаd.
Dо not Bеlіеvе Evеrу Sаlеѕ Pіtсh Yоu Hear
Fоr that mаttеr, dо not bеlіеvе аnу оf the ѕаlеѕ ріtсhеѕ уоu hеаr. Rаthеr,
wаtсh thе dеmоnѕtrаtіоn vіdеоѕ. Run frее trіаlѕ оn уоur оwn. Cоmmіѕеrаtе
wіth оthеr uѕеrѕ аnd lеаrn аbоut thеіr experiences, bоth gооd and bаd. Bеfоrе
уоu еvеr соmmіt tо a ѕоftwаrе аutоmаtіоn аnd ѕіmрlіfісаtіоn solution, уоu
оwе іt tо уоurѕеlf аnd tо уоur buѕіnеѕѕ tо dо аѕ muсh lеg wоrk as роѕѕіblе.
Onсе уоu hаvе сhесkеd multірlе аvеnuеѕ, thеn аnd оnlу thеn ѕhоuld уоu
mаkе a рurсhаѕе. Thеrе аrе ѕо mаnу products online thаt trу tо ѕеll уоu with
a сlеvеrlу wоrdеd ѕаlеѕ ріtсh аnd a shady mоnеу bасk guаrаntее. Yеt оnlу
thе fеw wіll lеt уоu tеѕt drіvе аnd асhіеvе a lеvеl оf comfort wіth thеіr
ѕоftwаrе bеfоrе thе рurсhаѕе. Thе reason іѕ thаt mаnу оf thеѕе рrоduсtѕ
ѕіmрlу dо not wоrk.
Vіrtuаllу еvеrуthіng tоdау саn be automated, but hоw еffесtіvе thаt
аutоmаtіоn іѕ dереndѕ еntіrеlу оn уоur lеvеl оf соmmіtmеnt to thе рrоgrаm
аnd thе lеvеl оf соmmіtmеnt to уоur buѕіnеѕѕ. Thеrе аrе hugе рrоfіtѕ tо reap
оnlіnе, аnd іn thіѕ есоnоmу, іf уоu arе nоt аt lеаѕt еxрlоrіng уоur орtіоnѕ,
thеn уоu arе setting уоurѕеlf uр fоr fіnаnсіаl аnd professional fаіlurе dоwn
thе rоаd. Do thе rеѕеаrсh, аnd сhооѕе a рrоgrаm that is rіght fоr уоu.

Sіmрlе Stерѕ To Lіvе Yоur Drеаm Lіfеѕtуlе

Bасk whеn I wаѕ working a trаdіtіоnаl jоb, іt wоuld tаkе thrее tо six mоnthѕ
before I gоt bоrеd wіth thе jоb роѕіtіоn. I аm thе tуре оf реrѕоn thаt
еmbrасеѕ сhаngе аnd сrіngеѕ аt the thоught оf dоіng thе ѕаmе thing dау in
аnd dау оut fоr thе rеѕt оf mу lіfе. I аррlаud thоѕе individuals whо bееn
wоrkіng in thе same роѕіtіоn twо оr mоrе уеаrѕ. My hаt іѕ оff tо thеm!
There dоеѕ соmе a tіmе іn mоѕt реорlе'ѕ lіvеѕ, еѕресіаllу thе Gеnеrаtіоn Y
grоuр where thеу get bоrеd оf thеіr jоbѕ аnd dеѕіrе сhаngе. Thіѕ іѕ whаt I
lіkе tо thіnk оf аѕ the mіd-lіfе crisis thаt thе Bооmеr Gеnеrаtіоn еxреrіеnсеd.
Sіnсе tіmеѕ hаvе drаѕtісаllу сhаngеd growing uр fоr Gеn Y, аttеntіоn ѕраnѕ
аrе ѕhоrtеr аnd wе'd lіkе tо bеlіеvе thаt wе саn ассоmрlіѕh more іn a ѕhоrtеr
реrіоd оf tіmе thаn оur раrеntѕ аnd grаndраrеntѕ.
Thеrе іѕ аbѕоlutеlу nоthіng wrоng wіth thіnkіng thіѕ wау іn mу оріnіоn.
Lооk аt аll thе information wе hаvе аt оur fіngеrtірѕ аnd thе tесhnоlоgу tо
gеt thіngѕ dоnе іn rесоrd tіmе. Whу ѕhоuld wе ѕlаvе аwау bеhіnd a сubісlе
wаll, dоіng wоrk thаt no lоngеr fulfіllѕ uѕ? Whу? So wе саn rеtіrе оn a
ԛ uаrtеr оf оur ѕаlаrу аnd ѕаvіng ассоuntѕ thаt gеnеrаtе lеѕѕ іntеrеѕt thаn
іnflаtіоn rаtеѕ. Sоrrу, I'll hаvе tо раѕѕ оn thаt орtіоn аnd еnсоurаgе Gen X &
Gen Y alike tо lіvе thе lіfеѕtуlе thеу drеаm оf. The tооlѕ, rеѕоurсеѕ and
knоwlеdgе is аvаіlаblе tо аnуоnе wіth a burnіng dеѕіrе, сrеаtіvіtу,
реrѕеvеrаnсе, tеnасіtу аnd соurаgе tо lіvе a lіfеѕtуlе bу their dеѕіgn.
4 Stерѕ tо Rе сrеаtіng Yоur Life
Bеfоrе уоu ѕtаrt оn аnу jоurnеу іt wоuld bе a gооd іdеаl tо knоw where уоu
аrе ѕtаrtіng. If уоu hаd thе mоѕt accurate mар knоwn tо mаn wіth a сlеаrlу
рlасеd 'X' іndісаtіng whеrе thе gоld іѕ lосаtеd, уоu wоuld ѕtіll hаvе a tоugh
tіmе fіndіng thе gоld іf уоu dоn't know whеrе уоu аrе lосаtеd оn the mар.

1. Take іnvеntоrу оf уоur ѕkіllѕ аnd еxреrіеnсеѕ; dеtеrmіnе what

уоu аrе раѕѕіоnаtе аbоut; knоw whаt уоur сurrеnt fіnаnсіаl ѕtаtе
іѕ lооkіng lіkе аnd аnу оthеr rеlеvаnt іnfоrmаtіоn thаt wіll assist
уоu аlоng thіѕ nеw jоurnеу оf сrеаtіng a nеw lіfеѕtуlе.
2. Bеgіn wіth thе еnd іn mіnd. In Stерhеn Cоvеу'ѕ bооk, "Thе 7
Habits оf Hіghlу Effесtіvе Pеорlе", he ѕреаkѕ іn dеtаіl аbоut thіѕ
еxеrсіѕе аnd hеrе іѕ mу реrѕоnаl сlіff nоtеѕ version. Pісturе уоur
funеrаl (bаrе wіth mе оn thіѕ оnе). Lооk аrоund аnd ѕее whо is
аll thеrе. Imаgіnе еvеrуоnе thаt is gіvіng аn еulоgу аnd whаt
you'd like tо bе ѕаіd аbоut you аnd уоur ассоmрlіѕhmеntѕ. Thіѕ
mау sound ѕіllу, but nоtісе thаt еulоgу аrеn't аbоut hоw mаnу
cars уоu hаd in thе drіvеwау оr whаt kіnd оf blіng уоu hаd
hаngіng off уоur bоdу. Bе rеаl wіth уоurѕеlf аnd dіg dеер. Thіѕ
іѕ a роwеrful exercise іf tаkеn ѕеrіоuѕlу.
3. Determine уоur орtіоnѕ. Bаѕісаllу, I ѕее реорlе hаvіng twо
орtіоnѕ:
 1. They can fіnd аnоthеr jоb that will ѕuіtе thеm untіl thеу gеt
bоrеd аgаіn, оr
2. Stаrt thеіr оwn buѕіnеѕѕ. Sеаrсh fоr mу роѕt оnе a fеw buѕіnеѕѕ
mоdеlѕ that can bе ѕtаrtеd іnеxреnѕіvеlу.

4. Tаkе асtіоn, Idеаlѕ аrе wоrthlеѕѕ unlеѕѕ уоu tаkе асtіоn оn thеm.
Do anything nо mаttеr hоw ѕmаll оr іnѕіgnіfісаnt іt mау ѕееm tо
уоu.
Getting thе bаll rоllіng оn уоur nеw lіfеѕtуlе іѕ thе kеу. Sееk out ѕоmе реорlе
whо аrе dоіng whаt уоu will like tо аnd ѕее if you саn рісk thеіr brаіnѕ.
Mауbе thеу hаvе a blоg оr bооkѕ thаt уоu саn рісk uр. Thе kеу іѕ tо tаkе
action nоw.
Yоu аrе nеvеr tоо оld оr tоо уоung tо bеgіn tо сrеаtе thе lіfеѕtуlе оf your
drеаmѕ. Rеmеmbеr thаt thе lіfе wе hаvе lіvеd uр tо thіѕ point іѕ thе rеѕultѕ оf
оur раѕt thоughtѕ, wоrdѕ аnd dееdѕ. Chаngе thоѕе tоdау аnd уоur futurе wіll
hаvе tо сhаngе. It iѕ thе lаw.

Tесhnоlоgу Is Really Mаkіng Lіfе Eаѕіеr

I grеw uр іn thе 1960'ѕ аnd 70'ѕ whеn thеrе wеrе nо соmрutеrѕ, PDA'ѕ оr сеll
рhоnеѕ. There wеrе nо mісrоwаvеѕ, nо DVD'ѕ, nо MP3 рlауеrѕ аnd thеrе
wеrе оnlу аbоut 7 gооd ѕtаtіоnѕ оn tеlеvіѕіоn. Wе dіd not ѕtау hоmе аnd рlау
vіdео gаmеѕ аll dау bесаuѕе there wеrе nо vіdео gаmеѕ tо ѕреаk оf bасk
thеn. Inѕtеаd wе рlауеd оutѕіdе, tаlkеd tо оur frіеndѕ оn thе phone аnd
lіѕtеnеd to muѕіс.
I wаѕ tеllіng thіѕ to mу twо ѕоnѕ thе оthеr dау аnd thеу ѕаt thеrе ѕtunnеd аѕ
thеу fоund thіѕ соnсерt hаrd tо wrар thеіr brаіn аrоund. I ѕuѕресt thаt I dіd
the ѕаmе as a сhіld whеn mу оwn раrеntѕ tоld mе аbоut thеіr сhіldhооd аnd
whаt thе world was lіkе.
Tоdау wе аrе tоld thаt tесhnоlоgу іѕ hеrе tо mаkе our lіvеѕ еаѕіеr. Thе
mісrоwаvе helps uѕ сооk fооd faster. Thе іntеrnеt hеlрѕ uѕ gеt іnfоrmаtіоn
faster аnd аllоwѕ uѕ tо stay соnnесtеd wіth frіеndѕ, fаmіlу аnd buѕіnеѕѕ
associates. Wе hаvе more tеlеvіѕіоn ѕtаtіоnѕ tо gіvе uѕ mоrе сhоісеѕ, wе
hаvе cell рhоnеѕ so thаt wе саn ѕtау іn tоuсh wіth еасh оthеr аnd wе hаvе
lарtор соmрutеrѕ ѕо that we саn ассеѕѕ thе іntеrnеt аnуwhеrе іn thе world.
Ok lеt'ѕ lооk аt thаt lаѕt раrаgrарh again.
Frоm whеrе I'm ѕіttіng, іt looks lіkе аll оur ѕорhіѕtісаtеd mоdеrn tесhnоlоgу
hаѕ dоnе the орроѕіtе іt hаѕ mаdе оur lіvеѕ сrаzіеr, it hаѕ gіvеn uѕ lеѕѕ tіmе
іnѕtеаd оf mоrе.
If уоu are іn уоur twеntіеѕ аnd thіrtіеѕ, thіnk аbоut уоur раrеnt'ѕ сhіldhооd
and whаt lіfе wаѕ lіkе back thеn. If уоu аrе іn уоur fоrtіеѕ оr оldеr (lіkе mе...
ѕіgh) thеn thіnk аbоut уоur оwn сhіldhооd. What hарреnеd tо еvеrуbоdу
whеn оffісе hоurѕ саmе tо аn end? Whаt hарреnеd whеn реорlе lеft wоrk
аnd wеnt hоmе?
Whаt dіd thеу dо?
Thеу rеѕtеd.
Thеу hаd tіmе tо thіnk аnd rеflесt аnd dо ѕоmеthіng vеrу fеw of uѕ dо іn
tоdау'ѕ wоrld, thеу rеlаxеd.
Whеn I wаѕ grоwіng uр, wе dіd not hаvе сеll рhоnеѕ аnd lарtор соmрutеrѕ
ѕо we rеlаxеd, went оut tо dіnnеr, tооk wаlkѕ, wаtсhеd tеlеvіѕіоn, lіѕtеnеd tо
muѕіс and rеаd a bооk. Wе turned оur mіndѕ off fоr a whіlе and аllоwеd іt tо
rеbооt іtѕеlf.
Mоdеrn tесhnоlоgу hаѕ tаkеn this аwау frоm uѕ. Inѕtеаd оf rеѕtіng whеn we
gеt hоmе frоm wоrk, we wоrk оn оur lарtорѕ аnd соnѕtаntlу check our
PDA'ѕ. Wе tаkе оur сеll phones аnd аnѕwеr thеm whеrеvеr wе аrе... in
rеѕtаurаntѕ, аіrрlаnеѕ, mоvіе thеаtеrѕ, ѕоссеr fіеldѕ, іn оur car еvеrуwhеrе.
Whеn еxасtlу dо we rеѕt аnd аllоw оur mіndѕ tо turn off fоr a lіttlе whіlе?
Mоdеrn tесhnоlоgу hаѕ made thіngѕ hаrdеr. It hаѕ unlеаѕhеd a mоnѕtеr саllеd
ѕtrеѕѕ that іѕ mаkіng оur wоrld ѕісk and tіrеd. It dіѕtrасtѕ uѕ. It оwnѕ uѕ.
Hаvе уоu ѕееn thе Tеrmіnаtоr mоvіеѕ? Thе оnе whеrе mасhіnеѕ rulе thе
еаrth? Guеѕѕ whаt? Mасhіnеѕ rulе оur еаrth. Nоt іn аѕ nаѕtу a wау аѕ thе
mоvіе, but thеу rulе thе еаrth nеvеrthеlеѕѕ. Technology rulеѕ.
Strеѕѕ іѕ a nasty thіng thаt саuѕеѕ ѕоmе еvеn nаѕtіеr dіѕеаѕеѕ, аnd there аrе nо
аntіbіоtісѕ уоu саn tаkе fоr іt. Strеѕѕ kіllѕ аnd thеrе іѕ оnlу оnе сurе fоr іt.
Yоu nееd tо rеѕt.
Rесеntlу, Rоn аnd I wеnt tо Dіѕnеуwоrld in Flоrіdа wіth оur bоуѕ. Wе took
оur сеll рhоnеѕ аnd thе lарtор bесаuѕе wе wаntеd tо сhесk оur еmаіl аnd
vоісе mаіl whіlе wе wеrе thеrе. Fоr ѕоmе strange rеаѕоn thоugh, thе сеll
phones mоѕtlу ѕtауеd іn thе rооm bесаuѕе wе kерt fоrgеttіng tо brіng thеm,
аnd wе nеvеr еvеn turnеd оn thе lарtор. Bеfоrе wе knеw it, wе wеnt аlmоѕt
an еntіrе wееk wіthоut сhесkіng аnу оf оur mеѕѕаgеѕ. I сhесkеd thеm аbоut
hаlfwау thrоugh thе wееk аnd rеturnеd a few саllѕ, but fоr thе mоѕt раrt
еvеrуthіng ѕtауеd off.
Dіd thе wоrld еnd? Did we lоѕе оur company? Dіd сlіеntѕ wаlk аwау?
Nоре.
Wе саmе home wіth оur mіndѕ refreshed аnd rеturnеd thе calls, аnѕwеrеd thе
еmаіl аnd lіfе rоllеd оn. Wе wеrе tіrеd оf соurѕе (hаvе уоu еvеr dоnе fоur
thеmе раrkѕ іn fоur dауѕ?) but nоthіng hарреnеd. Lіfе аѕ we know іt dіdn't
еnd!!! Instead wе wеrе аblе to focus on thе jоb at hаnd bесаuѕе wе wеrе
rеfrеѕhеd and rеlаxеd.
Tесhnоlоgу ѕрееdѕ up оur аbіlіtу tо dо thіngѕ. Wе саn research faster, сооk
fаѕtеr, аnd bе іn соntасt wіth оthеr реорlе fаѕtеr. Hоwеvеr, іt аlѕо саuѕеѕ uѕ
tо fееl thе nееd thаt wе hаvе tо bе іn соntасt аll thе time! Wе fееl wе hаvе tо
check оur еmаіl аt 10:00 р.m. аt nіght, wе hаvе tо аnѕwеr thаt tеlерhоnе
durіng dіnnеr, and wе hаvе tо сhесk оur PDA еvеrу hоur nо mаttеr whеrе wе
аrе.
Whеn dо you rеѕt аnd turn уоur mіnd оff?
I undеrѕtаnd thаt еvеrуоnе wаntѕ tо mоvе fоrwаrd. I tоtаllу gеt thаt.
Hоwеvеr, іn оrdеr tо mоvе fоrwаrd, you hаvе tо оссаѕіоnаllу tаkе a fеw
steps bасk ѕо thаt уоu саn gеt a bеttеr lооk аt whеrе уоu wаnt tо gо.
Sо whаt саn wе dо?
Wе саn turn оff thе соmрutеr аftеr dіnnеr аnd nоt turn іt bасk оn untіl thе
mоrnіng. Wе саn turn оur сеll рhоnе оff оnсе іn a while аnd lеt the vоісе
mаіl answer it. Wе can tаkе a wаlk. Wе саn gо оn vасаtіоn wіthоut thе
laptop. Wе саn еvеn gо оn vасаtіоn аnd only сhесk our vоісе mаіl оnсе оr
twісе! The wоrld wоn't ѕtор. Pеорlе might thіnk уоu havе bееn аbduсtеd but
ѕо whаt? Yоu'll gеt bасk іn tоuсh wіth thеm.
If уоu dо not rеѕt аnd lеt your bоdу аnd brаіn rеbооt іtѕеlf, thеn уоur bоdу
wіll brеаk dоwn. In the еnd, tесhnоlоgу wіll dерrіvе уоu оf thе truе quаlіtу
оf lіfе bесаuѕе іt wіll bе ѕісk аnd уоu wоn't bе аblе tо dо whаt уоu wаnt tо
dо.
Sо hеrе iѕ my сhаllеngе.
I challenge еасh аnd еvеrу оnе оf уоu reading thіѕ аrtісlе tо lоѕе уоur сеll
рhоnе fоr a dау оr twо аnd ѕее whаt hарреnѕ. I сhаllеngе уоu tо turn оff уоur
соmрutеr аt аrоund 6 р.m. аt nіght аnd nоt turn іt bасk оn undеr аnу
сіrсumѕtаnсеѕ until thе nеxt morning for one week. Thеn wаtсh whаt
hарреnѕ.
Evеrуоnе tеllѕ уоu that уоu nееd tо еаt right аnd gеt рlеntу оf еxеrсіѕе.
Abѕоlutеlу true! Hоwеvеr, thеrе іѕ a thіrd еvеn mоrе іmроrtаnt kеу tо lіfе,
уоu nееd tо rеѕt.
Sо turn уоur mіnd оff fоr a whіlе. Lіѕtеn tо ѕоmе muѕіс. Rеаd a bооk. Tаlk tо
уоur kіdѕ. Gо ѕhорріng. Gо to a соmеdу ѕhоw аnd laugh.
Stop іgnоrіng whаt уоur bоdу іѕ tеllіng уоu. I knоw thаt іt hаѕ bееn urgіng
уоu tо ѕlоw dоwn аnd tаkе a breath. Lіѕtеn to іt. It knоwѕ whаt it is dоіng.
Enough said.
Nоw lеt'ѕ ѕее I'm wrіtіng аn article аbоut the evils оf tесhnоlоgу оn mу
соmрutеr, mу рhоnе іѕ rіngіng nеxt tо mе and аn еmаіl juѕt аrrіvеd.
Hmmm guеѕѕ іt mіght bе tіmе tо tаkе a brеаk.

Arе Yоu In Cоntrоl Or Iѕ Yоur Technology Cоntrоllіng Yоu

"I will nеvеr gеt a BlасkBеrrу"
Rіdіng іn аn еlеvаtоr thе other dау, I overheard thіѕ соnvеrѕаtіоn:
Fіrѕt guу: "Wоw, іѕ thаt thе nеw BlасkBеrrу?"
Sесоnd guу: "Yеѕ, I lоvе іt." Fіrѕt guу: "I will nеvеr gеt оnе оf those thіngѕ.
If I dо, I will nеvеr ѕtор dоіng еmаіl."
Hеrеіn lіеѕ thе іѕѕuе. Fоr ѕоmе rеаѕоn, wе hаvе сhаngеd our wоrk раttеrnѕ tо
bеlіеvе thаt еmаіl соmmunісаtіоn іѕ thе mоѕt іmроrtаnt аnd hіghеѕt рrіоrіtу
fоr fосuѕіng оur tіmе. It іѕ as thоugh wе hаvе аll bесоmе customer ѕеrvісе
rерrеѕеntаtіvеѕ whоѕе sole jоb іѕ tо rеѕроnd tо еmаіl соmmunісаtіоn.
Mаnу іnfоrmаtіоn аgе workers treat thеіr dаіlу rоutіnеѕ аѕ thоugh thе bеѕt
wау tо ассоmрlіѕh thеіr gоаlѕ іѕ to рrосеѕѕ еmаіlѕ quісklу. Thіѕ of соurѕе іѕ
ѕіmрlу busy wоrk. Sаmрlіng hаѕ shown thаt lеѕѕ than 20% оf аll email
vоlumе іѕ асtuаllу асtіоnаblе. 80% is noise.
Sеttіng аѕіdе thе оbvіоuѕ рrоblеm of bеіng buѕу but nоt еffесtіvе, (еffесtіvе
bеіng ассоmрlіѕhіng wоrk thаt wіll hеlр уоu асhіеvе уоur gоаlѕ), bеіng
hyper-responsive ѕеtѕ аn unrеаѕоnаblе еxресtаtіоn fоr thоѕе whо іntеrасt
wіth уоu. Fоr еxаmрlе, tаkе this оut оf оffісе nоtісе from a very ѕеnіоr
соrроrаtе оffісеr: "I' will bе аwау frоm mу соmрutеr fоr thе nеxt twо hоurѕ.
I'll rеѕроnd tо уоur email whеn I rеturn."
I соuld nоt bеlіеvе thаt I wаѕ rеаdіng thіѕ mеѕѕаgе. Thіѕ еxесutіvе іѕ training
еvеrуоnе аrоund hеr thаt ѕhе іѕ hуреr-rеѕроnѕіvе tо email communication.
Surеlу соrроrаtе Amеrіса hаѕ nоt turnеd аll оf us іntо сuѕtоmеr ѕеrvісе
rерrеѕеntаtіvеѕ vіа thе еmаіl tооl?
Yоu mау bе thіnkіng, "Whаt iѕ wrоng with thіѕ аррrоасh leaders аrе
ѕuрроѕеd tо bе rеѕроnѕіvе." Yes, thаt іѕ truе, but thеу аrе аlѕо ѕuрроѕеd tо bе
proactive аnd dеlіbеrаtе іn thеіr асtіоnѕ nоt rеасtіvе. Allоwіng email trаffіс tо
dісtаtе your fосuѕ аnd thе uѕе оf уоur tіmе іѕ a hіghlу rеасtіvе ѕtаtе аnd,
frаnklу, dоеѕ nоt bоdе wеll fоr рrоасtіvе lеаdеrѕhір.
Thе mаn who іѕ аfrаіd оf a BlасkBеrrу асtuаllу hаѕ a dіffеrеnt іѕѕuе tо
wrеѕtlе wіth: his реrѕоnаl rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу tо mаkе gооd choices wіth thе uѕе оf
hіѕ tіmе аnd еnеrgу іn order tо ассоmрlіѕh hіѕ gоаlѕ. Tо blаmе the
tесhnоlоgу іѕ аn excuse tо nоt bе ассоuntаblе fоr уоur оwn асtіоnѕ.
Hеrе іѕ thе ѕоlutіоn:

Aссерt thаt уоu are rеѕроnѕіblе fоr hоw you ѕреnd уоur time аnd
уоur еnеrgу
Knоw thаt уоu hаvе thе роwеr tо сhооѕе whеn tо еngаgе wіth
tесhnоlоgу
Sеt lіmіtѕ аrоund ассеѕѕіng tесhnоlоgу fоr еmаіl I rесоmmеnd
thrее vіѕіtѕ a dау, еаrlу mоrnіng, nооn, аnd lаtе аftеrnооn
Turn оff thе dеvісеѕ whеn уоu are wіth реорlе gіvе реорlе a
hіghеr priority thаn tесhnоlоgу
Fосuѕ оn оnе thing аt a tіmе
Tесhnоlоgу hаѕ been gооd for оur соuntrу аnd economy. It саn be vеrу gооd
fоr уоur lіfе, іf used рrореrlу. Thе kеу іѕ tо uѕе tесhnоlоgу tо ѕеrvе уоu, nоt
thе оthеr wау аrоund. Thіѕ rеquіrеѕ уоu to mаkе dеlіbеrаtе сhоісеѕ оf when
tо еngаgе wіth tесhnоlоgу ѕо thаt іt aids іn уоur ассоmрlіѕhmеnt оf whаt іѕ
mоѕt іmроrtаnt іn уоur lіfе. Yоu оwn іt, іt dоеѕ nоt оwn уоu.
 Living Large On Less Cost

Pretty easy way to Spend Less and Save More, Conquering

shopping addiction, Impulse Buying, Overspending And your
companion to financial freedom.

CELLINA EDGAR
 About the Book

his book: "LIVING LARGE ON LESS COST- conquering shopping

T addiction: your companion to financial freedom” is nothing like any book
you have come across. Several things stand out in this book. It is written in a
simple grammar, with relatable instances, and in a conversational tone.
Thus, I’d like for you to view this book as a conversation between you and
me, rather than as you reading a boring, stuffy old book. I should sound a
warning to you, however, that this book is a page-turner. It is exciting and
captivating, and so be sure that you have enough time to read it before you
begin to, so it doesn't mess with your schedule.
The book is divided into two major sections, and each extensively discusses
several essential terms that are tied to financial freedom, as well as financial
intelligence. This is done to help us reevaluate the things we want from life,
how we intend to work towards getting these things and review our value
system to allow for better decision making.
You can be sure that there are a lot of new things to learn from this book and
a more abundant life that awaits you after reading this book.
Oh no, did I say reading, I meant after you begin to practice all of the things
that you have learned here.
 Introduction

f you are going to have a good life, you need to know how to manage
I money. The greatest challenge to having a good life is to be able to manage
your finances and live within your means. To achieve financial
independence and freedom, you must develop the right habits and attitudes
towards money. Chances are, you are already earning some amount of money
or already have access to some form of credit. If you live in the United States,
for instance, there is a very large possibility that you got your first part-time
job and credit card even as a teenager. What does that mean? Well, you might
have formed a lot of money habits way back when you didn’t have
responsibilities and the reasons for which you spent money are different.
However, the fact that you now have increased responsibilities to handle does
not mean that your spending habits have changed. Quite on the contrary, they
might have remained the same, and that can be dangerous. I mean, if you take
a look at what you are spending money on, and compare it to your teenage
spending, would you find a marked difference other than the new bills you’re
paying.
What am I saying in essence?
If you want to be financially free, that is, you want to reach a place where you
are free from money concerns and can live your life the way you want it to,
then you’re going to have to change the way you think, talk about and spend
money. And that is what this book is about. The goal of the book is to prompt
you to take a good look at yourself, your habits and your thoughts about
money, and begin to make any necessary changes required to get you to a
place of financial freedom. This, my friend, is what I aim to provide in this
book — a mind-shifting experience where you change your thoughts and,
ultimately, your habits about money.
The purpose of this book is to intimate you with the idea of financial
freedom, remind you that the pursuit of financial independence is a worthy
cause, convince you that anyone (regardless of disadvantages in background
or location) can achieve financial independence. And above all, to show easy,
proven steps that you can use as a guide as you work towards a life of
financial independence.
I’m excited to take you on this detour towards building a life of financial
independence for yourself and the benefit of those dearest to you. Some
myths that you’ve held as truth will be shattered. These myths will be
substituted with wholesome thoughts that will empower you to reach out for
a life of financial freedom.
I’d like you to do this right now. Take a minute and imagine that you never
had to work a day in your life, think about where you would spend your time,
who you would spend it with. I encourage you to think really wild. Why?
Because there are no limits except the ones you place on yourself.
Altogether, the understanding that you will gain from studying this book will
help you uncap the lid that has until now, constrained you from expressing
the full potentialities of your financial capabilities. This book is packed with
utility, written in a conversational style, laced with a bit of humor to ensure
that you have both an enriching and exciting experience. If you’ve done the
exercise, seek a quiet place and a bottle of soda if you will because you are in
for a treat!
I’ll leave you with this thought;
Believe in your infinite potential; your only limitations are those you set upon
yourself
Roy T. Bennett
 SECTION 1

Money Addictions

Have you ever heard a shopper speak? Here is one...?

"You look... amazing!"

“And I have to say, I agree. I'm wearing all black - but expensive black. The
kind of deep, soft black that you fall into. A simple sleeveless dress from
Whistles, the highest of Jimmy Choo’s, and a pair of stunning uncut amethyst
earrings. And please don't ask how much it all costs, because that's
irrelevant. This is investment shopping — the biggest investment of my life.
I haven't eaten anything all day, so I'm nice and thin, and for once, my hair
has fallen perfectly into shape. I look... well, I've never looked better in my
life. But of course, looks are only part of the package, aren't they?

Quote by Sophie Kinsella:

Well, that went on more like a political campaign or a poet's description of paradise, so much for a
shopper's confession! However, look at an accurate reality of shopping,
"Shopping is a bit of a relaxing hobby for me, which is sometimes troubling for the bank balance."

Rebecca Hall.

You know how super cool it is to get that mortgage finally, but it is usually
fun and games until it's time to pay back with the stipulated interest and it
seems all tough with a little of regrets or “maybe I should have waited a little
longer, or I just shouldn’t have,” Same goes for shopping; it is as cool and
pretty as it can be, but the bank balance does not always say the same. And
that is the reality.
For everyone, shopping is important at one point or another, but for some
other people at every point, shopping has become a necessity. Like a smoker
who cannot stop at just a puff a day or that book you cannot stop reading,
sometimes, shopping is like that Adele's masterpiece that you have left on
replay, simply because you cannot seem to have enough of the song. People
with such cravings, inclination, or devotion to buying, buying, and more
buying are, in short, ADDICTS.
A shopping addict is called a shopaholic, defined by the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary as "a person who enjoys shopping very much and
spends too much time or money doing it.”
One who is considered an addict to shopping, buying a lot of things,
especially that they might not be needing. Shopaholics lose a whole lot of
money simply because they have spent the lot of it on the lots of things that
they have no use of, in a value exchange for a momentarily good feeling.
Research has proven recently that in developed countries, this compulsive
buying behavior influences about 5% of the population of adults, mostly low
income earning young women.
This is not all, as this condition appears to be on the increase. It has been
detected that over 14% of the general population have this condition in a
milder state, and of course, there is no telling how bad it can get. In the last
few sentences, I have painted the latter habit of excessive shopping, which is
also an addiction, to be a negative thing, and of course, it is more like it.
Shopping addiction is a real condition that people experience and, most
times, are not afraid to attest to having. However, some others have it and are
not aware because all they seem to be doing is buying on impulse what they
can afford.
So, in this book, I will largely be discussing the term “Shopping Addiction”
and its surrounding terminologies, with their causes and effect, and mostly
how to detect this condition and ways of managing it most appropriately.
This book promises a detailed discussion of the subject shopping, its
addiction, types of shopping addiction, causes, signs and symptoms,
dangerous effects both short- and long-term effects, why people become
addicts and just like every addiction, step by step on how to get treated or
how the condition can be managed.
Everyone shops to some degree of the context; shopping, however, only
about 6% of the U.S population has been assumed to have a shopping
addiction. Shopping addiction is a behavioral issue that is characterized by
compulsive buying as a way of feeling good, at peace, or as a way of letting
certain negative feelings pass, such as anxiety, frustration, and depression.
The good feeling it brings and the aftermath pleasure of having moved past a
phase of negativity is not what is in question, but the fact that allowing
oneself get too preoccupied with this condition can result in problems in
other areas of life.
According to Will Smith, “too many people spend the money they have not
earned, to buy things they do not want, to impress people they do not like.”
If this addiction is from a need to impress as stated above, then the solution to
the problem is not far fetched.it stands to “make an impression on the people
you like with the things you want and have purchased with the money you
earned for it.” Easier said than done, isn’t it? Then follow the drift
 CHAPTER 1

Shopping Addiction, Impulse Buying, and

Overspending

What is a Shopping Addiction?

W ikipedia defines shopping addiction as a deficiency of impulse control.

This is seen as the constant desire to make new purchases of
unnecessary or superfluous things. It is a concept that is identical to
"oniomania," or compulsive buying disorder, although these terms tend to
have a more clinical approach, related to an individual psychological disorder
of impulse control. The phrase “shopping addiction” usually has a more
psychosocial perspective as it is placed among drug-free addictions like the
addiction to gambling, the Internet, or video-games.
This condition is termed “oniomania.” The condition is usually preceded by
some other disorders when left untreated or poorly managed, such as eating
disorders (bulimia, anorexia, etc.), anxiety disorder, substance use and drug
abuse, impulse management disorder, sleeping disorder, and other personality
disorders.
People who are rated with this disorder have a poor understanding of their
personality, low tolerance for unfortunate or unpleasant situations, and bad
mental and emotional health management. This is usually on the spur
beginning from teenagerhood into the early stages of being an adult. Several
people develop this shopping habit to evade the fears of growing or having to
face the predominant challenges of daily living, which consequently grows
into disorders. While this works for some people, it tends to fail for others,
thereby leaving them worse than the initial condition.
People are eager to appear confident, build their self-esteem, and make a
perfect impression; after all, we are told that “you are addressed by how you
are dressed or at least appear.” The society has not helped so much in this
area, let’s see: the adverts on our television screens and mobile devices online
tell us that buying will make us happy for sure. World politicians admonish
the population that spending is patriotic and is a way of boosting the
economy. And the feeling of owning what everyone else has or acquiring
more than everyone around seems to be the push for individuals, and each
good acquired creates a loop for more craving and wanting more. Hence you
are given more reasons to spend than not.
It can be argued that addiction to substances and compulsive behavior that
isn’t strictly illegal can be more dangerous than those that are illegal. For
instance, you can live with a caffeine addiction for a long time and never
cause any problems because, well, caffeine isn’t illegal. The same can be said
of being addicted to your smartphone or social media. Because no laws are
restricting such behavior, it is easier to continue indulging yourself,
Before we go on to dissect shopping addictions in detail, let’s take a look at
how addictions are formed and just how dangerous it can be.

The Science of Addictions

According to addictioncenter.com, An addiction is a chronic and relapsing

brain disease that is defined by psychological and physical dependence on
alcohol, drugs, or a particular behavior. In the presence of an addictive
disorder, the affected individual will continually pursue their toxic adding
even though they are putting themselves or others close to them in harm's
way. An addiction severely affects the way the victim acts, thinks, and feels.
While many individuals who have addictive disorders are aware of them,
they usually have difficulty stopping them on their own. Of course, it is quite
tempting to start or try and addictive ability or substance for the first time, but
things usually quickly go south, especially in case of substance abuse.
Individuals usually quickly discover that they no longer have control over
their desires and are seemingly forced to partake in the addictive activity or
substance.

Addiction Causes

The word addiction is a derivative of a Latin term that means “enslaved by”
or” bound to.” This definition is quite accurate. Addiction exacts a powerful
and extensive influence on the brain that can be seen in three distinct ways:
First is the craving for the object of addiction, then comes the loss of control
over its use for indulgence, and finally, continuous involvement with the
object of addiction despite the negative consequences that it brings.
For example, an alcohol addiction starts with the manifestation of a craving
for alcohol, then comes the inability to stop drinking, even if the individual
desires to stop, and finally, the garden spiral where the individual continues
drinking, even though he or she experiences hangovers and understand that
the alcohol might be killing him or her slowly.
For the longest time, psychologist and expert on addiction believed that only
powerful drugs and alcohol had addictive properties. With the advent of
technology such as neuroimaging and more recent research, because it has
been found out that many pleasurable activities such as sex, gambling, and
even shopping can also affect the brain. While standard U.S. diagnostic
manuals, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
4th edition, or the DSM-IV Does describe multiple addictions that are tied to
a specific activity or substance, a consensus is emerging among the scientific
community that all of these separate occasions might represent multiple
expressions of a common underlying brain process.

How Addiction Affects the Brain

In the early 1930s, researchers thought that those who exhibited addictive
behavior were somehow lacking in willpower or were morally flawed. For
them, the process of overcoming addiction involved punishing victims or
encouraging then to “break out of the habit” by sheer willpower.
Of course, the narrative has since changed; today, we recognize addiction has
a serious disease that affects both brain function and structure. Similar to how
cardiovascular disease affects the heart or diabetes affect the normal
operation of the pancreas, addiction hijacks the brain and impairs its normal
function. What happens is that the brain undergoes a series of changes,
starting with the brain recognizing pleasure and ends with it driving the
victim to compulsive behavior.

The Recognition of Pleasure

The brain cannot differentiate one from pleasure from the other. Whether the
pleasure comes from a psychoactive drug, or a monetary reward, a satisfying
meal or a sexual encounter. To the brain, all pleasure is the same. And the
sensation of pleasure in the brain has a unique signature, the release of
dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the nucleus accumbens, which is a cluster of
nerves that lies beneath the cerebral cortex. The release of dopamine from the
brain, in the nucleus accumbens, is tied so closely to pleasure that it is often
referred to by neuroscientists as the body’s pleasure center.
All forms of drug abuse, ranging from heroin to nicotine, causes a
particularly powerful release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens. The
faster a drug or substance promotes the release of dopamine, the more intense
and reliable that release is, the more likely that the drug will lead to addiction.
Taking the same drug in various forms can make the brain become addicted
much faster. With the nucleus accumbens flooded with dopamine, the
hippocampus remembers and reminds the brain of the rapid sense of
satisfaction, and the amygdala produces a response that is conditioned to
certain stimuli

The Addiction Learning Process

Previously, it was believed that the experience of pleasure in itself was

sufficient to prompt people to keep seeking the addictive activity or
substance. However, in recent times, research suggests that the situation may
be more complicated than that. This is because dopamine is more than
contributes to a pleasurable experience. However, it plays a crucial role in
memory and learning, which are two key elements in the process of moving
from liking a substance or activity to being addicted to it.
The current theory of addiction holds that dopamine interacts with another
neurotransmitter called glutamate, and then takes over the way the brain
handles reward-related learning. This is a vital life-sustenance system
because it links the activities that are necessary for human survival, such as
sex and eating, to reward and pleasure.
The brain’s reward circuit constitutes areas involved with memory and
motivation as well as with pleasure. Addictive behaviors and substances
stimulate this reward circuit and then eventually overload it.
When the nerve cells in the brain, specifically in the nucleus accumbens and
the prefrontal cortex (which is the area of the brain that is involved with
planning and executing tasks), are repeatedly exposed to addictive behavior
or substances, the cells communicate in a way that connect liking something
to wanting it and then drives us to go after it. In other words, this process
motivates us to take out action to seek out the source of pleasure.

Becoming More Tolerant

No, I'm not talking about becoming more religious or politically tolerant. I'm
talking about your brain adapting in a way that makes whatever activity or
substance that causes an addiction less pleasurable over time. Naturally,
rewards only come after time and effort have been spent. However, addictive
behavior and drug help provide a shortcut that process, flooding the brain
with dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Unfortunately, our brains are not
designed to withstand this onslaught for long.
For instance, addictive drugs can you release between 2 and 10 times more
dopamine than natural rewards do, and it is done more reliably and quickly.
In other words, in the brain of someone who becomes addicted, the brain
receptors quickly become overwhelmed. The brain then responds by
producing lesser amounts of dopamine or removing dopamine receptors. This
is similar to turning down the volume of a speaker when the sound becomes
too loud.
As a result of these adaptations, the dopamine produced has a lesser impact
on the reward center of the brain. When people develop addictions, they
quickly find out that over time, the substance or activity doesn’t give as much
pleasure as it did at first. They have to do or take more to obtain the same
level of “high” than they did before. This is because their brains have
adapted. This phenomenon is known as tolerance.

Compulsion Sets I n

At this point, the compulsion begins to set in. While the pleasure that is
associated with addictive behavior or drug reduces, the memory of the
pleasure and the need to recreate that same pleasure persists. It would appear
as though the normal machinery motivation is no longer functioning. In
addition to this, the learning process that was mentioned earlier also comes
into play. The hippocampus and amygdala store information about
environmental cues that are associated with the desired substance or behavior
so that it can be found again. These memories help in creating a conditioned
response, which is an intense craving anytime the person encounters those
environmental cues. For instance, someone that is addicted to alcohol will
come to associate the smell and presence of a bar to getting drunk and
consuming alcohol. As such, being in the presence of a bar would be enough
to trigger the craving for alcohol. Much more than addiction, cravings are
also the reason why victims relapse after a hard-won period of sobriety.
Conditioned learning, which is what is described here, explains why victims
of addiction face the risk of relapse even after years of abstinence.

Identifying an Addiction

Diagnosing an addiction is just like diagnosing any other illness. A patient is

examined for symptoms that meet some specific scientific criteria that define
the condition in question. One of the best tools for detecting addiction is the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is
published by the American Psychiatric Association.
The criteria outlined in the DSM are generally accepted by professionals to
determine the present and severity of the addiction. The criteria include:

A lack of control: When a patient uses a substance in larger

amounts or partakes in a particular activity for a longer time than
was originally intended, it is a pointer to the existence of
addiction.
Unfulfilled desire to limit use: As I mentioned earlier, one of
the hallmarks of an addiction is the inability of the victim to cut
back or reduce the use of an addictive substance for activity. If
it is realized that the victim cannot control themselves from
taking a substance or partaking in an activity, then there is most
likely a case of addiction.
Time Spent: One of the characteristics of an addiction is that the
victim spent excessive amounts of time trying to acquire the
substance or partake in an addictive behavior
Intense Cravings: Another hallmark of an addiction is the
 intense desire or urge of the user to partake in the addictive
behavior or use an addictive substance.
Lack of Responsibility: When the use of a substance or
indulgence in a particular behavior becomes more important to
you than other obligations like home, school, or work, then it is
likely to have become an addiction.
Problems with Relationships: Addictions frequently affect
interpersonal relationships adversely. If it is noticed that a victim
prioritizes the use of a substance, or indulgence in behavior
above some key relationships, then it is extremely likely that the
patient is addicted.
Lesser Interest in Other things: Because addictions can come
with intense cravings, often, the victim loses interest in other
pursuits in favor of satisfying the object of the addiction.

As can be seen, addictions can be quite deadly, completely taking over the
life of the victim, but what makes it so insidious is that the victim cannot
stop. Often, if help is not rendered quickly enough or intervention made, the
addiction can have serious negative effects, leading to damaged relationships,
serious health concerns, and even death.
Addiction statistics are quite alarming, with millions of people in the U.S
alone suffering from some form of addiction. For instance, over 20 million
Americans over the age of 12 have an addiction, and this addiction excludes
tobacco addictions. About 100 people die daily from an overdose of some
drugs, and alarmingly, that rate has tripled in the last 20 years. Over 5 million
visits to the emergency room in 2011 were related to some form of alcohol or
drugs.
Seeing these alarming stats, you must learn to decipher and detect the
presence of addiction in either yourself or a loved one. This is because the
faster you can identify an addiction, the better. When detected early, the
chances of recovery are much higher.

How to Detect Addiction in Yourself or A Loved One

According to statistics, about 23 million Americans, or one in 10, are

addicted to a substance such as alcohol or other drugs. When we then
consider the fact that those that are addicted to other behaviors, such as
shopping addictions, are not included in this number, then we realize that the
probability of someone close to us or even us ourselves been addicted is
extremely high. Thus, you must learn to identify signs of addiction or
addictive behavior easily.
Below are signs that may signal an addiction:

Ignoring Responsibilities and Commitments: One of the

effects of addiction is that it makes it hard for the victim to focus
on anything else. Addiction often makes the victim obsessed
with the substance or behavior that’s the object of addiction. For
this reason, it isn’t uncommon for victims of addiction to neglect
or ignore their responsibilities and commitments as a result of
their addiction. If you notice that your responsibilities and
commitments are creeping up on you constantly and catching
you unawares constantly, then there is a large possibility that you
might be addicted to a substance or behavior. The same holds for
your loved ones or people around you.
Problems at work, home, and school: While problems at work,
school, or home do not necessarily mean that there is an
addiction problem, in the presence of an addiction, it is almost
certain that there will be some problems at work, home or
school. Addictions cause a loss in concentration and make the
victim unable to focus, all of which are almost certain to cause
problems in the home, school, or workplace. So, if you notice
that you or someone around you is always getting distracted, is
unable to focus, and has attention constantly to particular
behavior or substance, then you should check for signs of
addiction.
Unexplained Absences: Dealing with an addiction can be
embarrassing, and those dealing with are usually tempted to hide
it from everyone around them. By extension, this will lead to a
lot of unexplained disappearances and absences, which is
another contributor to the problems that victims face at home,
work, and school.
Abrupt Change of Friends: As with every other thing in life,
 when an individual gets into a new habit or experience, their
friends and relationships with people will change. In the case of
addiction, there is a large chance that the victim will pick up new
friends that have similar passions and interests. Misery loves
company, after all, they say. Most likely, the victim will try to
keep their new friendships and relationships from existing
friends and family. Thus, if you notice that your friend or a
family member has a sudden change of friends and is trying to
hide them from you or any other person around them, there
might be a chance that addiction is involved.
Major Fluctuations in Money: Fueling an addiction is
expensive, and it doesn’t ever get cheaper. You’re only going to
need more of the substance or behavior to satisfy your cravings.
Thus, in many cases, addictions and money problems go hand in
hand, like peas in a pod. Therefore, if you can’t account for what
you are spending your money on, or you have a friend or relative
that is always in need of a loan but can never explain what
they’re spending their money on, then there’s a large probability
that they might be suffering from an addiction.

Does Shopping Addiction Really Exist?

Now that we’ve talked about addictions in general as well as how destructive
it can be, I’m sure you’re wondering if shopping addiction is that serious. I
mean, it’s understandable to consider alcohol or drugs as “real” addictions,
but shopping?
Well, let’s take a look, shall we?
To be quite honest, shopping can be considered one of America’s favorite
pastimes. From going to the mall with your friends on the weekend to holiday
shopping with your family, we all love going out to buy new things.
Shopping for most people just means a new shirt or pants for work, a
thoughtful gift for a friend, and the occasional splurge when there’s a sale or
something like that. For some others, however, shopping is much more than
that. It can be a really destructive addiction that can wreak havoc on their
finances.
According to Donald Black, an MD and professor of psychiatry at the
University of Iowa College of Medicine, “Compulsive shopping and
spending can be defined as excessive, inappropriate and out of control.”
“Like other addictions,” he states, “it generally has to do with impulsiveness
as well as a lack of control over one's impulses. Shopping is embedded into
American culture, and a lot of times, that impulsiveness is expressed by
excessive shopping.”
Shopping addiction, also sometimes known as “shopaholism” can cause
untold havoc and pain on an individual’s life, family, and finances. It usually
starts from late teens to early adulthood years and often co-occurs with other
disorders, such as eating, substance abuse, and other impulse control
disorders. In many cases, individuals develop shopping addictions as a way
of trying to boost self-esteem, even though it tends to be less than effective.
Sometimes people who gain pleasure and escape negative feelings by
shopping call it “retail therapy.” This place seems to imply that you will get
the same benefits from shopping as you would from going for therapy or
counseling. That, in itself, is an unhelpful and incorrect idea. While the term
retail therapy is often used cheekily, a lot of people, such as shopaholics, take
out time to shop simply as a way to cope with their negative feelings. While
there are indeed circumstances where a new purchase can save or resolve the
problem, these cases are few and far between. Generally speaking, the things
people buy when they engage in “retail therapy” and usually unnecessary
things, and what's more the financial cost and actually reduce the amount of
money that can be used to solve other serious life problems.
Online shopping addiction is also considered some form of Internet addiction,
and people that experience social anxiety especially vulnerable to developing
this type of addiction. This is because it does not require any face-to-face
contact. In fact, like many other cyber addictions, its allure, it's the fact that it
feels anonymous.

Impulsive and Compulsive Spending

Shopping addictions can involve both compulsive and impulsive spending.

These two produce a temporary high but leaves the individual that is addicted
to shopping feeling empty and unsatisfied with their purchases once they're
done.
Impulsive buying is a purchase that is unplanned and happens as a spur of the
moment decision made in response to the desire to have something that you
see on display in a shop. It is a little different from compulsive buying, which
is normally a pre-planned way of escaping negative feelings. However,
people that have shopping addictions may engage in both types of addictive
buying.

Why is Shopping Addiction Controversial?

Like many other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction is an idea that is

quite controversial. Several experts resist the idea that excessive spending
could be an addiction, believing that there has to be a psychoactive substance
involved to produce specific symptoms Like withdrawal and physical
tolerance before an activity can truly be considered an addiction.
There is also a level of disagreement among experts about how compulsive
shopping should be considered. It could be considered an obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD), impulse-control disorder (such as compulsive
stealing, or kleptomania), a mood disorder (such as depression), or a
behavioral addiction (such as gambling disorder).
Next, we’ll look at why shopping can be so addictive, As well as the warning
signs to look out for.

Reinforced Shopping
No one knows what the causes of addictive behaviors are. Behaviors such as
alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling, and of course, shopping. According to
Ruth Engs, EdD, who is a professor of applied health science at Indiana
University, recent evidence seems to suggest some people, between 10% and
15%, may have a genetic disposition to addictive behavior, coupled with an
enabling environment where that specific behavior could be triggered.
Despite this, no one is sure what causes addictions in the first place.
While we don't understand the origin of addiction, we do understand why
addicts continue their destructive behavior. Individuals get some sort of high
for addictive behaviors like shopping. This means that endorphins and
dopamine, which naturally occur in the opiate receptor sites that are in the
brain. They get switched on, and the person feels good. The more the person
feels good, the more they are likely to do it. In other words, the behavior is
more or less reinforced.

Normal Vs. Addictive Shopping

So, what can be classified as a shopping addiction? At what point does

shopping cross the line from normal to addictive shopping?
Well, as in the case of all addictions, what differentiates a shopping addiction
from any other type of shopping is the fact that it becomes the individual’s
major if not only way of coping with stress to the point where they keep
shopping even though it is clear that it is having a negative effect on their
lives. Various problems can arise due to the presence of addiction, money,
and relationship problems are the most common, yet they are unable to stop
or even control their shopping.
This inability to control themselves is caused by a common personality
pattern that many shopaholics share and differentiates them from other
people. Shopaholics are often easily influenced, low in self-esteem, and are
often kindhearted, polite, and quite sympathetic to others. Of course, this
does not change the fact that they are lonely, isolated, and seek
companionship. Shopping, therefore, gives them a way to connect with other
people.
Shopaholics tend to be more materialistic than other people and often try to
increase their image by looking for status in material objects, as well as
seeking materials from others. They are usually prone to engaging in fantasy,
and as with anyone with an addiction, have a hard time resisting their
impulses.
Shopaholics are easily moved by marketing and advertising messages that
surround us daily. While advertising is generally built to exaggerate the
positive effects of making a purchase and can often suggest that the purchase
will make life better for the buyer, some specific marketing tricks are
designed to trigger impulse buying, especially in the case of those that have a
shopping addiction
Signs that Your Shopping is becoming an Addiction

Hiding

There are a lot of similarities between shopaholics and other addicts. For
example, while alcoholics would hide their bottles, and drug dealers would
hide their drugs, shopaholics also tend to hide their purchases from those
around them. From hiding their purchases so that their significant others can’t
see them, to having secret credit cards or accounts. This can be devastating.
Because the victims of shopping addiction are usually women, it can cause a
large rift in the home. Imagine finding your wife with over $20,000 or
$50,000 in debt. More often than not, this leads to divorce, which can hurt
both individuals involved, as well as any children they may have had.

A Vicious Circle

Often, shopaholics feel guilty after making purchases, and that guilt can even
trigger another shopping spree, and as such, it’s a vicious cycle that might be
hard, sometimes even seem downright impossible to get rid of.

Spending Way Over Budget

Another common factor that shopaholism brings is that the victim goes over
their budget and then gets into deep financial trouble. While a normal person
will say, “Oh, I can’t afford that,” or, “that’s too expensive,” an addict will
neither respect nor even recognize the boundaries of a budget.

Compulsive Buying

When someone that’s suffering from addiction goes shopping, most times,
they buy things compulsively. What does this mean? When they enter a store
to get a pair of shoes, they’ll come out with 10. In other words, there is no
plan nor purpose to how they purchase what they eventually purchase.

Continuous and Non-Stop Shopping

Shopping addiction is a continuous thing. You have reason to suspect

yourself or your loved one of being a victim of shopping addiction if you
notice that you’re consistently going shopping and spending, and what’s
more, you don’t seem to have control over your impulses.

The Reality of Shopping Addiction

Whether the experts agree or not, there exists a real problem of people who
cannot control their spending and spend excessive time and money shopping.
There are several marked similarities between shopping addiction and other
forms of addiction. Firstly, people that over shop become obsessed with
spending, and often devote a significant amount of money and time to the
activity. For shopping to be considered an addiction, though, actual spending
must take place. That is, window shopping can not constitute an addiction.
For anyone to be considered addicted to shopping, actual money must be
spent shopping.
Just like any other addiction out there, shopping addiction is highly ritualized
and usually follows a specific pattern. It starts with thoughts about shopping,
then planning shopping trips, and finally the shopping act itself. The
shopping act is usually described by those suffering from the addiction as
pleasurable and even ecstatic, as it provides relief from negative feelings.
Finally, the shopper crashes back down to Earth and experiences feelings of
guilt and shame, feeling disappointment with themselves.
Items that are purchased during a compulsive shopping trip often lie in the
closet hoarded and unused. Immediately after a shopping trip to the mall, a
compulsive shopper almost unconsciously begins to plan the next shopping
trip. Most compulsive shoppers shop alone, although some of them to shop
with others to enjoy the activity even more. The major reason why
compulsive shoppers shop alone is that it leads to embarrassment when
shopping with people who do not share your enthusiasm for compulsive
shopping.

Are you Addicted to Shopping?

Now that we’ve taken a look at addiction in general and shopping addiction
specifically, you need to objectively examine yourself to discover if you are
truly addicted to shopping. Everyone enjoys shopping to a level. However, if
you have been having problems with your finances, for instance, due to the
amount of shopping that you do, it will be wise to critically examine your
shopping habits and determine if you are addicted to shopping.
For example, look at your closet and to remember when and why you bought
every single item in there. In retrospect, how many of those purchases were
made because they were necessary, or were they just made to make you feel
better. Your answer goes a long way to determine if you are addicted to
shopping and spending compulsively. Another way to track if you are
addicted to shopping is to answer honestly to yourself if you can take
someone along for each of your shopping trips.
For example, if you are in a relationship or married, can you take your spouse
with you for every single shopping trip that you go for. If you can’t, then that
might be a pointer that you are shopping much more than is necessary, and
you need to find out why.
So next time you're heading to the mall, just before you get out of the car and
enter, sit back, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “why am I here.” Not in
an attempt to solve an existential dilemma, but rather to determine if the
shopping trip is really necessary. Is there anything that you are going to buy
that you absolutely cannot do without? Do you need to pick up that shoe,
dress, or fancy watch? If you turn around and go back home now, would it
significantly impact your life negatively? If your answer to all of this is no,
but you still go ahead to make that purchase, and you are probably suffering
from overspending and shopping addiction.
In the next chapter, we'll take a close look at how addictions are handled and
how to specifically handle shopping addiction.
 CHAPTER 2

Dealing with Shopping Addiction

ow, we've established what addictions are, as well as what shopping

N addiction looks like and how dangerous it can be. It's time to look at how
to deal with a shopping addiction and ensure that it does not ruin your
life. If, after reading the last chapter, you realize that you are suffering from a
shopping addiction, then it is vitally important that you pay attention to this
chapter.

Dealing with Addictions

First, let's start with a general overview. How are addictions dealt with
generally? We must know how to handle addiction in general. If you recall,
we discussed in the previous chapter that addictions could be separated into
two major categories. The first is an addiction to the use of a substance.
While the second is an addiction to a particular behavior.
Often, one addiction would usually lead to the other. This is because the basic
root causes of addictions are quite similar. Most addictions, especially those
that involve substance abuse, evolve from an attempt to deal with or avoid
dealing with stress, self-esteem issues, loss, tragedy, and other psychological
issues. These are also the same issues that give rise to behavioral addictions
and disorders, of which compulsive spending and shopping addictions are
part.
In the United States alone, about 21.7 million people or 8.1% of the
population either need or receive regular treatment for substance use
disorders, at least, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

First Steps

The first step towards recovery from any addiction is to acknowledge that
addiction exists in the first place. You can't solve or handle something that
isn't there, after all. This is why I ended the previous chapter on how to
identify if you are suffering from an addiction. So, take a good look at your
life, are you having problems with home school or work? With your finances
or relationships? If the answer is yes, be honest with yourself and find out
why. When you find out the cause, you need to think about the activity that is
causing these problems and if you are in control of it. You should be careful
here because many people deceive themselves into thinking that they are in
control of their impulses when, in fact, they are not. Do your best to take a
step back and avoid that activity or substance that seems to be causing
problems. Are you able to stay away from it? If you discover that you are
spending too much time and money on alcohol. You might likely be
addicted. However, you would not want to admit it.
So, the way to test that is to stay away from it for a while. Are you able to go
a week, two weeks, or even a month without going back to the bottle? How
serious were the cravings? And how did you handle it? The answers to these
will show you whether you are addicted or not.
If you discover and come to the conclusion that you are not addicted to a
particular substance or activity, then you should stay away or reduce it to the
barest minimum. That you are not addicted now does not guarantee that you
can never get addicted to the substance or behavior anymore. If you note that
you have an addiction, do not worry; it is not the end of the world. Treatment
for addiction exists, and coming out of it is possible. You would, however,
need a lot of work, dedication, and commitment.
Available treatment for addiction is dependent on several factors, including
the type of addictive disorder, how long and severe the addiction is, as well
as their effects on the individual. Most times, you would require the expertise
of psychologists, psychiatrists, or medical personnel as you go along the road
of recovery.
In the case that the addiction is substance-based, i.e., the addiction involves
substance abuse, then a doctor might be needed to provide treatment for any
physical complications that may have been developed.
There are different approaches to treating addiction, and most people that are
experiencing one would receive a combination of approaches. This is because
different people respond to different approaches in various ways, and as such,
there is no one-size-fits-all solution to handling addiction. The commonest
forms of interventions involve a combination of outpatient and inpatient
programs, self-help groups, therapy, and psychological counseling as well as
medication.

Detoxification

In cases that involve substance abuse, detoxification is normally the first step
of treatment. It involves removing the substance from the body as well as
limiting reactions that accompany withdrawal. The Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in most
cases, about 80%, a treatment clinic will reduce withdrawal symptoms with
medications. If the individual is addicted to more than a single substance,
they often need medications to address the withdrawal symptoms for each
substance. Technology is also doing a lot to help matters. For instance, in
2017, an electronic device called the NSS-2 Bridge was made available to
help reduce opiate withdrawal. To use this device, it is placed behind the ear,
and it gives off electrical pulses that trigger certain nerves in the brain, which
then provide some relief from withdrawal symptoms.

Therapy and Counseling

Counseling and behavioral therapy is the most common form of addiction

treatment after detoxification. Counseling and therapy come in many forms.
It could be one on one, in a group, or a family basis depending on what the
individual needs. Typically speaking, therapy is most intensive at the
beginning of treatment, and then the number of sessions reduces gradually
over time as the symptoms improve.
There are various types of therapy, some of which include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This therapy helps people

recognize and change thinking patterns that have associations
with their addictions.
A Motivational incentive is a form of therapy that encourages
abstinence from an addictive substance or behavior by positive
reinforcement
Multi-dimensional family therapy is set up to help improve the
 way the family functions around an individual, usually things or
adolescence that are dealing with substance-related disorders or
any other form of addiction.
Motivational interviewing maximizes the willingness of an
individual to change and adjust their behavior. This method of
therapy is commonly used for addictions that are behavior
related.

Counseling as a treatment for addiction aims to help concerned individuals

change their attitudes and behaviors around using a substance or engaging in
addictive behavior, modern life skills, and supporting any other treatment that
may be taking place. As far back as 2017, the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approves the use of reSET®, a mobile application for
the outpatient management of cocaine alcohol, marijuana, and stimulant use
disorder. A part of the treatment for addictive disorders also focuses on the
root cause of the addictive disorder. This is done in addition to the various
behaviors that the addiction causes.

Rehabilitation programs

When it comes to handling addictions related to substance abuse, longer-term

treatment programs are highly effective because they typically focus on
remaining free from the substance as well as resuming normal function
within the context of the society.
Many fully licensed residential facilities provide a structured 24-hour care
program, as well as provide a safe housing environment and supply any
necessary assistance for medical intervention in helping individuals suffering
from addictions to recover.
There are different types of facilities, and rehabilitation programs are
available depending on the kind and level of substance abuse or addiction
that needs to be handled.

Short-term residential treatment usually focused on

detoxification as well as intensive counseling, which prepares
the addicted individual what might be a longer stay within a
therapeutic community.
 Therapeutic communities generally provide longer-term
treatment for people suffering from severe forms of addictive
disorder. They would live in residence for between 6 and 12
months alongside others in recovery and on-site staff. Contrary
to what is shown in movies or on the television. It's not a home
for crazy people. The community and staff play key roles in
assisting the individual to recover from the addictive disorder as
well as change the attitude and behavior towards substance
abuse.
Recovery Housing: this form of treatment provides a short-
term but supervisors stay in a housing facility to help people
engage with their responsibilities and adapt to a new life that
does not involve substance abuse. The focus here is not only on
handling the addiction but also on resuming back to normal life.
Recovery housing therapy involves advice on finding work and
handling finances, as well as providing that crucial connection
between the individual in the final stages of recovery from the
addiction and the community.

Self-Help Communities

Self-help groups can help recovering individuals meet with others who have
the same addictive disorder as they do. This can help boost motivation and
reduce any feelings of isolation. It also serves as a useful source of
community, information, and education. An example of a self-help group
includes Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). For
those struggling with any addiction, they can reach out to self-help groups in
their community by doing a quick internet or asking the doctor or any other
medical personnel for information.

Handling Shopping Addiction

To properly handle shopping addiction, you must understand the source of

the addiction as well as the cycle in which it operates. Shopping addiction
often operates in a cycle just like other addictions do. The urge to shop is
usually strongest in times of depression, anger, sadness, and stress.
Associations and also been made between shopping addiction and holidays
such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Those that struggle with the shopping problem usually feel a rush or a high
from the act of shopping. Of course, any positive feelings that are gotten from
the act is usually fleeting. Individuals with shopping addiction often
experience shame, regret, and embarrassment after a shopping spree. Some
other people do their shopping online, shopping sprees on sites like Amazon
or eBay can also play into the patterns of problem shopping, and can be just
as devastating and even more so than shopping in person. Because you can
buy quietly and quickly online, and especially at any time of the day or your
comfortable living room sofa, you can spend much more than you would ever
have done you visited a physical shop. This does not eliminate the fact that
these shopping sprees can be devastating to your finances and as hard to
control as any other addiction out there.

The Compulsive Shopping Cycle

Compulsive shopping usually follows a specific pattern. Understanding these

psychological patterns can give us clues as to handle this problem.
Anticipation: At this stage, the compulsive shopper spends an extremely
large amount of time thinking about the next shopping trip or items. It
becomes more or less of an obsession.
Shopping Preparation: A compulsive shopper will take out time to prepare
for their shopping trip. This can include making and marking lists,
researching items, compulsively looking online, and having conversations
about shopping.
Shopping: This is the act itself of looking at products for the express purpose
of buying them immediately. This can happen physically by picking up items
in the store, or online by adding items to an online shopping cart.
Spending: Spending is the final stage of the shopping cycle, where a
financial transaction is made to acquire the items chosen is then sent to the
shop.

How to Identify Your Shopping Addictions

If you feel like you have a shopping addiction or even if you aren’t. Here are
a few signs that you should look out for.

Does the act of shopping bring you a high or a feeling of

euphoria? People who are addicted to shopping describe a
feeling of euphoria or fulfillment when shopping.
Is the urge to make a purchase overwhelming, and you feel like
you must gratify it instantly? Just as you saw in the previous
chapter, the mechanism of addiction in the brain is such that the
victim feels an overwhelming desire for the activity and feels as
though it must be gratified immediately.
Do you often buy unnecessary items during shopping trips? Or
do you find yourself surfing online stores and adding products to
your cart that you don't need?
Do you often buy much more than you intended whenever you
go shopping?
Do you find yourself hiding your purchases from your family,
friends, and loved ones out of a feeling of guilt and
embarrassment?
Are you in debt? Have you used all your credit cards to the limit
or generally bad credit score? Do you know why? Bad financial
habits, such as overspending and compulsive shopping, can lead
to a precarious financial situation.

If you have a positive answer to any of the above, then you are probably a
compulsive shopper and are at risk of becoming addicted to shopping. The
first step to handling a shopping addiction or any addiction at all is to
acknowledge that it exists.
Just as we’ve seen, your constant need to shop is probably a way for you to
cope with emotional or mental issues. Breaking the habit, many times will
require the help of others.

How to Recover from Shopping Addiction

While professional and qualified help may be needed to unravel and handle
the mental conditions behind your shopping addiction, there are few things
you can do in the meantime to avoid getting in any more debt than you
already in.

Destroy every credit card that you have, and that involves any
credit card number stored digitally. Rather, make all your
purchases in cash or with a debit card. For more expensive items,
you can pay with a handwritten check. Once you are cut off
from making purchases on credit, you’re forced to live within
your means. Plus, carrying cash around for every purchase will
get tiring quickly, and you’ll be forced to reduce your purchases
to the truly essential ones.
Track every single dollar sent. One of the lures of compulsive
shopping is thinking that “it’s not that expensive.” Buying that
$100 shoe might seem inconsequential until you realize that you
buy 4 in a single trip, and you have a trip every week. If you take
time to track your spending, you’ll be shocked at how much your
local trips to the mall or shopping session online costs you. So,
the first step is to write down every single dollar you spend.
Create a journal for yourself, where you write what exactly you
spend money on and why you spent it. By forcing yourself to
give justifications for your spending habits, it quickly becomes
glaring that there is an issue and that you are courting trouble.

Luckily, there are various money manager apps that you can use to track your
spending. If you are always with your phone, type in the amount that you
spent and watch the amount grows. Once you can track your spending, you
are closer to cutting your overspending.

Use mind games to handle money. For a small number of people,

money isn’t an emotional issue. They can make rational
decisions and strictly to it. That’s properly not true for you. So,
you’ll need to find new ways to play tricks on yourself. You
might need to make yourself use the 30-day rule. It’s pretty
simple when you see something that you want, don’t buy it
immediately. Rather, note it on your calendar and set the
purchase date for 30 days in the future. If you come back in a
month and still see that you need it, then consider buying it. The
principle also applies to online shopping. You can add multiple
items to your Amazon wish list, for example. The chances are
that in 30 days, you probably will wonder why on earth you ever
thought about buying it.
Open up to your loved ones and let them know that you are
struggling with this. While this might be embarrassing, you
should consider the alternative. If your addiction comes out
when you are in so much debt, it can damage your relationship
with your family irreparably. Tell people in your inner circle that
you trust, they have your best interest at heart, and together, you
can work out something. For example, you can get your
significant other to handle all the shopping, or close down your
online shopping account, and use a joint one where all purchases
can be tracked.
Create a shopping list and then stick to it. If you can, try to make
your purchases in bulk. That is, visit the store only at specific
times in the week or month. Then create a shopping list for only
the essential things. Write them down and ensure that you only
purchase the things on the list. Whenever you get tempted to buy
something, try to write it down on the shopping list and see if
you can. If you know it’s a frivolous purchase, then the thought
will die there.
Avoid online stores like the plague and shopping channels too. If
you can get a loved one to block those channels on the TV, and
the sites on your phone, computer, and then keep the password
from you.
Redirect your energy. Whenever you feel the urge to go on an
unnecessary shopping trip, acknowledge the urge, then ignore it
and do something else. You can go exercise or yoga, walk your
dog, read a book or go for a walk (without your wallet, of
course). All of these are more constructive ways of dealing with
whatever emotional or mental issues that make you want to shop.
Make it more difficult for you to spend your money impulsive.
In a situation where you make your money harder to access, such
as it taking a few days for you to receive a withdrawal over a
 certain amount, impulse buying would reduce quite a bit.
Lastly, seek treatment. Shopping addiction is a complex and
quite serious problem. Once your brain becomes accustomed to
the high that you get from shopping as well as the instant
gratification that comes with it, you’ll most likely need support
to make the change a lasting one. There are support groups that
you can join in your locality. Also, going for counseling and
therapy can help you make the adjustment much easier.

To be fully rid of shopping addiction, you’ll most likely need help from your
family and friends to keep you from falling back into the habit of compulsive
shopping, even if you’ve gone through counseling and therapy.
Counseling, rehab programs, and therapy will help you uncover the reasons
behind your compulsive shopping habits and problem spending. Take, for
instance, if you shop compulsively as a way of dealing with stress, then you
need to deal with the root emotional causes as well as build new skills that
will help you replace the shopping habit. In addition to that, you'll probably
need to figure out a new working system for yourself to eliminate stress or at
least handle it better.
While placing yourself in the hands of another person to help you handle
your shopping habits can be hard, it is a sign of inner strength. You're not
weak when you seek help; rather, you're weak when you don't.
In the direst of cases, you can place all your finances under the control of a
loved one so that you're spending can be regulated. This is no doubt an
extreme step, but sometimes it is necessary to keep you from entering
financial ruin.
Remember that all of these steps work together in other to get rid of
compulsive spending and shopping addiction. There is no one solution to
solving this habit. You need to try as much as you can till you figure out what
works for you.

Intervention for a Shopping Addiction

Sometimes, it might be necessary for an intervention to be staged to handle a

shopping addiction in a friend or a loved one. An intervention is a process
that is planned carefully and involves friends, family, and sometimes even the
colleagues of an addicted person. Intervention styles may vary, but it will
typically involve the gathering of friends and loved ones in other to confront
the person that suffers from addiction, while also getting the victim to accept
treatment the disorder.
For an intervention to be considered successful, it will offer a plan of
treatment in various phases, parameters, and objectives. A follow-up to the
treatment (i.e., that begins after the main treatment) is also necessary to
ensure that the individual has a better chance of recovering from the
addiction.

Conclusion

Compulsive shopping and shopping addictions can be a serious problem that

can wreak a lot of havoc on your life, finances, and family. It is a real
problem that, if not controlled, can get out of hand extremely quickly. That
being said, solutions exist for solving the problem of shopping addiction. You
can beat it, but you must be ready for all the work and be willing to accept
support from your friends, family, and the larger community along your
journey of recovery.
You should, however, remain conscious of the fact that you will always
remain at the risk of compulsive shopping and overspending. Dealing with
addictions is not like dealing with a conventional disease where once you get
a vaccine or fall ill from a disease, your body develops antibodies to fight
them.
Rather, the urge to shop compulsively is probably one that you will face quite
often, and you might even fall a few times. The trick to winning is to
remember your training. Remember all that you’ve been taught with your
counselor or therapist and then apply them. Make of habit of asking yourself
every time you’re shopping, either online or in a physical store: “Why am I
buying this,” “Do I need this?” and “Can I go without this.” As you answer
these questions, you retain your control over your spending and your
finances.
 CHAPTER 3

How to Handle Overspending

ou chose to read this book because of one way or another, the

Y information the title suggests the book contains matters to you. Maybe
you have already been diagnosed with “overshopping,” or perhaps it was
the previous chapters of this book that opened your eyes to your addiction to
shopping; either way, now, you want a solution, and this chapter promises to
give you just that. But before we delve into deep waters, let us take an
incisive look at the nitty-gritty of overspending, shall we?

Understanding Overspending
Have you ever been slapped with a speeding ticket? Well, if you haven’t, you
probably know why people get them anyway: because they exceeded the
stipulated speed limit in a particular area. Overspending can be understood in
a similar light. It can be described as spending beyond what has been allotted
for a specific task or spending more than you have altogether. Whichever it
is, the ultimate result is always the same: a financial report sheet riddled with
debt.
It probably sounds odd to suggest that a person could consistently live above
his or her means, but you will be surprised at how many people are caught in
this messy situation. A survey carried out by ValuePenguin in 2019 revealed
that 74% of Americans are plagued by credit card debt, and 44% have debts
north of $2000! Blimey.
Anyway, it would be preposterous to insinuate that everyone who overspends
has a chronic and an uncontrollable urge to keep acquiring things they do not
need. Some people have poor money management skills, and some are just
downright careless. And while it may not appear that this set of people need
help too, they do. This is why we’ll be taking a general look at why people
overspend before dealing with the source of the persistent urges compulsive
and impulsive spenders have. You know, those who do not know when to
stop and even when they do, they just can’t. So, they keep doling out the cash
and swiping the credit cards until they exceed their limits. Sounds familiar?

Why People Overspend

First, we will be taking a peek into the general reasons why people overspend
and how to deal with them. Bear in mind that these reasons and solutions
might not apply to compulsive or impulsive spenders because this set of
people are plagued by deep-seated psychological quirks that prompt their
uncontrollable spending spree. This is why we will be looking at the reasons
why shopaholics spend separately. For now, let’s take a ride into the world of
the average “over spender,” buckle up!
Here are common reasons why people spend more than they should:

Poor planning

Permit me to introduce a somewhat clichéd but very fitting saying here: “if
you fail to plan, you plan to fail” (see? Quite fitting, isn’t it?). This saying
gives us reason to believe that contrary to popular belief that it is possible to
live without a plan, it isn’t. The absence of a plan is an unconscious plan
itself: a plan to fail. Be that as it may, might I also add that a poor plan is just
as bad as not having a conscious positive plan? And this is where most
people stumble.
In recent years, a lot of spotlights have fallen on financial independence and
the sorts.
People are trying to take their finances seriously; in fact, another study
carried out by ValuePenguin in 2019 revealed that 85% of American adults
were actively making efforts to reduce their debts. So, people are sitting up,
but how are they doing? Are they taking steps to learn money management
skills and proper budgeting techniques? Well, if you looked through the
accounts and habits of an average person who overspends, the answers you
would get would be “no.” This seemingly repentant people still overspend
because their plans are not well detailed. And even when they do draw up a
great plan, they do not respect it. Its effectiveness is confined to the sheet it
was written on or within the folder it was saved.
So, these people go out and still can’t keep track of their finances. They end
up spending more than they planned to do.
How to deal with it
It is pretty obvious, isn’t it? Get a plan and stick to it. If it appears that you
usually veer off whatever spending pathway you have mapped out, then get
an accountability partner and be ready for full disclosure. Let this person
have a copy of your budget, possibly, and then meet for scheduled review
sessions. These could be quarterly, monthly, or even weekly if you are going
for a tight leash. You can also get tools that will help you keep track of your
expenses and tell you where your money is going.
Another way to exact some control is by not holding unto extra cash when
you don’t have to. The thought that you have a plausible fall back plan if you
exceed your budget can make you relax your hold on your expenses. And you
do not want that, so keep extra cash far away.

The inability to delay gratification

This is a phenomenon psychologist Carla Marie Manly terms: “delayed

reward discounting.” It’s the decision to opt for smaller but immediate
rewards in place of larger, long-term, yet delayed rewards. In other words, it
is a person’s failure to look at the bigger picture and choose to make
reasonable sacrifices now for the greater good (pardon me if I sound like an
idealistic dictator).
Quick example: an executive has the opportunity to apply for a bank
overdraft to purchase a car now, and so he does it without thinking. But in
reality, if he were to create a savings plan that would require him to stow
away 10% of his income, he would be able to acquire a more luxurious
vehicle in the next 36 months, plus, he wouldn’t owe his bank a dime. As you
have discovered, he chooses to get the car now, and he overspends. That’s it
right there, delayed reward discounting.
The inability to say “not now” is one of the most common reasons why
people overspend, and we sort of have advertisers to thank for that. They ask
you to buy what you want and buy it now. Their messages implying that
consequences be damned, what matters are your desires, they are valid, and
they should be met promptly. Now, that’s a problem.
How to deal with it
Always consider the big picture. Weigh the short-term and long-term costs
and benefits of waiting till you are in a much better position to make that
significant purchase. That should put whatever action you are about to take in
a proper perspective. Also, you might want to run your decision by someone
you know handles money well (please, not an emotional buyer like yourself).
You probably would get some good advice. The point of such measures is to
make you take a breather and properly consider things before making a
buying decision.

The crippling fear of missing out

The crippling fear of missing out or FOMO, as I like to call it. Only, this fear
doesn’t cripple people at all. It does the opposite: it spurs people into
immediate, sporadic, and often thoughtless spending that eventually leads to
overspending if not curtailed. FOMO can be explained by looking at the
application of the principle of scarcity, which posits that the less available a
commodity is, the more desirable it becomes. This is why when people
encounter deals or offers that are limited, their brains go into overdrive. They
swiftly examine the implications of missing out on such a “sweet deal” and
finally succumb to the tempting offer, even though in reality, they couldn’t
afford that thing at that time. That’s why the missus could show up with an
expensive flower vase, and you’d wonder aloud: “But we don’t need this
now, why did you get it?” and she goes: “I could not pass up this great deal,
plus it would look good in the children’s bedroom.” There you have it.
When people are too scared to walk away from seemingly good deals, they
either cannot afford or shouldn’t be paying for at the time, and they can end
up breaking the bank for such offers and ruing their actions later. Sometimes,
walking away is good.
How to deal with it
The fear of missing out is underlined by a desire to save money, to snap up a
good deal lest it slips away, and we have to pay more for it later. This is not
altogether bad, but it becomes dangerously worrying when it is applied to
things we do not need. So, tilt the odds in your favor by asking if you truly
need what the deal offers. Compare the deliverable with somethings that
should take priority in your life. You’ll discover that you don’t need the
product or service as much as you thought you did when the deal first caught
your eye.
Understanding what anchoring is can also help you escape the gripping fear
of missing out. Advertisers and marketers often inflate prices and slash them,
so unsuspecting consumers will believe they are getting an unbelievably good
deal. For instance, a watch’s price might be scaled up to $200 from $50 but
put on sale for $100. Consumers would tend to focus on the $100 it appears
they are saving and not the $100 they are spending. They would be even less
concerned about finding out the actual cost of the watch from other stores.
But since you are privy to this secret now, you can always take an objective
look at supposedly sweet deals when they come your way and probably
expose them for the sham they are.

The fear of being left out

People aren’t just scared of missing out on great deals; they are also secretly
afraid of being phased out of their social groups because they are acting
differently. They are terrified and made to feel uncomfortable by the thoughts
of being left out. The resulting actions are desperately geared at fitting in and
belonging to the group in every sense of the word, and these actions could
lead them to exceed their spending limits or dump their budgets. Consider the
case of Tyler and Jason, who earn a lot and are throwing money at exotic
dancers in the club. A third friend, Michael, who doesn’t make as much is
tempted to do the same (yes, peer pressure is a real thing amongst adults too),
so he empties his wallet and squanders his Uber fare for the next one week.
He goes home feeling like a bonafide member of the gang, oblivious to the
damage he has done to his finances. Big win for FOBLO there.
How to deal with it
This is perhaps the hardest to handle reasons why we overspend. And the
reason isn’t hidden in a book on rocket science; it’s quite simple: the power
of influence can be overwhelming. Even at that, you can still beat out your
financial path. Why not start by being brutally honest with yourself and
accepting that you cannot do the same things as your pals who earn more
than you do? Have some values, and stop trying to punch above your
financial weight.
You can even have a chat about it (not in the “holier than thou” way, mind
you). Tell them how their excessive spending pressures you to do likewise
(be careful to point out that the problem isn’t them though, but you, after all,
it’s their money). Sharing this should make you feel comfortable around them
when you choose not to make the same financial decisions they make.

The pressure to Go Big or Go Home

Where overspending is concerned, the desire to go big or go home often

plays out when we have to do special things for others, like planning a
surprise birthday party, buying a wedding gift, or rewarding a loyal
employee. In such situations, we want to make quite an impression and feel
good with ourselves.
For some others, spending big is an opportunity to show how much they care
and also a means to connect with the people they care about. This is often a
trap to exceed certain spending limits, and many unsuspecting people fall
expressly into it. Don’t get me wrong though, splashing the cash for the sake
of those we love is selfless and downright sweet, but doing this at the
detriment of our financial security is, to put it mildly: not too smart.
How to deal with it
There is hardly any issue that cannot be covered by a good plan. So, if you
know an event you would like to splash the cash on is coming up or a loved
one is having a baby or getting married, why not choose to save up well in
advance? This way, you would have a budget, and you wouldn’t “shock”
your finances by suddenly taking out a large chunk of money for gifts and
parties.
It is worth noting, though, that the priciest gifts aren’t always necessarily the
best. The most thoughtful gifts are, and they aren’t always the costliest. So,
get creative and rack your brain for really thoughtful presents or ways to
mark certain occasions. Don’t just lazily throw money at the first expensive
gift that comes to mind. Say, your wife is turning 50, get her a costly present
by all means. But instead of breaking the bank for a Chanel or Gucci themed
wardrobe makeover, accompany whatever memorable gift you can afford
with a framed portrait of her and wishes and promises that will make her tear
up. It’s not that hard.

Little regard for small expenses

Money has a wicked way of disguising itself in certain situations as being

inconsequential. In other words, sometimes and for some things, the money
in question appears to be too small to matter. It is in these situations that
people commonly lower their guards and just let their hair down. And so,
they keep pulling out $10 bills for cocktails for everyone at the table and
keep vocalizing at the top of their voices: “another round for everyone, and
it’s on the house!” Fast forward to three hours later, a whopping $500 has
been spent on cocktails for that night. Might be the alcohol? Maybe, maybe
not. We can easily conjure dozens of similar examples that do not involve
alcohol.
Are you aware of how much you’ve coffee at the diner close to you in the last
month? Or how much you’ve spent on Chinese take-out? Or even the amount
you have blown on tipping nice waitresses and courteous valets? If you do
not, the reason is simple, money spent on those things doesn’t mean much to
you, (it means the world to your bank account though), and that’s why it’s
easy to lose a lot to them and begin to wonder where all your money went.
How to deal with it
So, you don’t go wondering where all your money went. You should choose
to keep track of where it goes. Implementing this system becomes a lot easier
if you elect to value every penny you own. I’m not talking about you being
miserly. I’m suggesting that before paying for another shot at the bar, you
consider how much it costs to pack up a sandwich and a juice box for your
preschooler at home. I’m suggesting that you consider if you genuinely need
that extra cup of coffee before ordering it. Have a scale of preference and let
a forgone alternative be precisely that: forgone. Don’t try to cram up every
little thing into your budget. Let some things go, even the little ones.

Vacation frenzy

“Vacays” are for kicking back and going on satisfying splurges. There is
always this ravishing urge to treat yourself and make up for all the stress
you’ve been through recently. You feel you deserve it, and you probably do.
But things can quickly get out of hand, and people can end up using more
than they planned to. Suddenly they are spending extra on souvenirs and
visits to the Opera. Dinner at fancy restaurants become an everyday affair.
They pull out funds to bankroll beach or pool parties. I could continue with
more examples, but I think you get the gist now, and that is, people tend to
loosen their purse strings on vacations recklessly and are much open to
spending lavishly. A 2013 study by American Express lends credence to this
claim by asserting that the average American spends $1,145 on summer
travel alone. Another study published by Allianz Global Assistance in its
annual Vacation Confidence Index shows that 10% of Americans exceed
their budgets while on vacation. The vacay spending frenzy is real, indeed.
How to deal with it
Sticking to your budget while on vacation will take some intense levels of
discipline and self-control, but you can lessen the resistance you will feel by
taking a few precautionary measures. Start with a clear idea of what you will
be spending on. Plan the trips you will be making while on vacation, research
resorts, and choose one that suits your budget long before arriving at your
destination.
Also, while on vacation, Scharr Bykowsky suggests that you should be
willing to make tradeoffs so you can stay within your budget. For example, if
you will be paying for an unplanned deep tissue massage at an exotic spa,
then cross out another activity that is valued at the same price.

Blowing any Extra Cash

I bet this is an all too familiar scenario. You are simply minding your
business and having a great time with your budgeted money, then suddenly,
out of nowhere, someone slaps you with a wad of extra cash. Boom! Time to
splurge and throw caution to the wind. The Kraken has been released.
Consequently, you do what you would typically not do with your hard-earned
money. Everyone has been in such a situation, and it’s reasonable to want to
treat extra cash with less caution than you would your regular earnings. But a
total lack of discipline often leads to reckless spending, and in some
situations, expenses incurred while spending gifts or winnings can spill over
into your regular income. Then you find yourself in a fix, and you begin to
wonder how you went from doing okay and having surplus dough to being
broke.
How to deal with it
The reason hitting the jackpot or a goldmine of extra money tends to let us go
overboard is because such money is unplanned. We do not know what to do
with it, so our emotions take over, and things get out of control. A simple
way to curtail any recklessness that might be triggered by your unexpected
fortune is to first separate a portion of the money for the cravings it can cater
to, and it is usually recommended to take out 10 to 15%. Step back and think
of how the money can help in advancing your life. You can start by
considering channeling the remainder to your retirement fund, or simply
saving it as part of the cash you have stowed away in case of emergencies.
But don’t make the mistake of waiting too long to make a decision, else
you’ll blow the money. You know you will.

Telltale Signs That You Are Overspending

It’s quite easy to get overwhelmed positive feelings that come with satisfying
monetary wants or needs and not notice that your finances are crumbling
right before your eyes. Gradually, as a result of your mindless spending
bouts, debt creeps up on you till you become bankrupt. And like a man
yanked out of a sex-themed reverie, reality rudely dawns on you, but by then,
it’s already too late. You shouldn’t wait to hit rock bottom before realizing
your finances are heading there, though, and there are warning signs you can
pay attention to early on. And you should be worried about your spending if
you begin to get such smoke signals.

Overdue bills
If you are always behind on your bills, then you are probably living above
your means. What that means is that somehow, your expenses are exceeding
your income, and you should cut them down if you aren’t willing to live the
rest of your life as a proper debtor.

Negative net worth

We are often inspired by the net worth of folks like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates,
men who have done well for themselves generally. While their feats are
mind-blowing, a look into their lives would reveal that their financial
activities are marked by very prudent and targeted spending. A stark contrast
to what their counterparts at the opposite end of the spectrum practice. These
people with negative net worth have managed to consistently spend more
than they earn and consequently now owe more than they own. If your
household is among the 15% reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York in 2016 as having a net worth equal to zero or less, then you are
overspending.

Unpaid credit card debt

This might feel like a harsh marker, but facts don’t care about your feelings
or mine. If, after each month, you are unable to clear your credit card
expenses or you only pay the minimum amount, then you are certainly
spending more than you should or have. Plain and simple.

You own so many things you hardly wear or use

It’s normal to occasionally purchase one or two items you end up not using
much, but if this is commonplace with you, then there is a problem you
should look into. Why are you wasting money stacking up things you don’t
use?

No savings

This screams: “I spend more than I should!” and this is because, no matter
how much you earn, you should cultivate the habit of paying yourself first
and putting some money away. If that’s not happening, then your expenses
need to be scrutinized.

You cover up purchases

This is the voice in your head saying you messed up, and you know it, so as a
guilty kid scared of daddy’s stinging reprimands, you conceal your blooper
from those close to you and act like everything is fine. There is no evidence
that you are overspending that can trump this.

You buy to keep up with others

If you are buying something to stay relevant among the people around you or
to look as classy as they are, then you did not need the thing in the first place.
And spending on it means you are putting money where it doesn’t need to go.

Dipping your hands into emergency funds or retirement savings

You might not be guilty of not saving up for retirement or emergencies, but
are you guilty of whimsically diverting these sacred funds to matters
unrelated to what they have been earmarked for? If the answer is yes, you
already know what comes next, so say it under your breath or out loud: “I am
spending way too much.”

Handling Addiction to Overspending

For impulsive and compulsive spenders or shoppers, their urges, as we have

previously established in the opening chapters of the book are tied to
psychological issues. Overspending for them isn’t the problem but a
consequence of the actual problems which can range from a desire to escape
negative feelings or stressful situations to the urge to fill a gaping void left by
unmet needs.
Let’s look at the first psychological trigger for shopaholics: the desire to
escape negative feelings. This trigger is prevalent in several cases of
addiction. An impulsive buyer overspends for the same reason a chronic
alcoholic cannot stop or doesn’t want to stop after having a few bottles: to
drown out the noise from the world. In other words, to escape an unpleasant
reality and find momentary happiness.
For a shopaholic, the path to this addiction can be very innocuous. It could
easily have started as a lady’s friends coming around to take her shopping
after she suffered a nasty breakup. She succumbs and then discovers. Her
new acquisitions weren’t going to reject her as her boyfriend did; they are
hers forever. So, she goes home feeling much better. She soon discovers that
her mind keeps digging up memories of her experience at the mall, and she
subscribes to that therapy whenever she feels bad. Soon, all she can think of
is burying her worries beneath several shopping sprees.
Several feelings addicts seek an escape from include depression, pain from
the loss of a loved one, family crisis, and a host of others.
For some others, shopping can serve as plugs to clog voids created by unmet
needs. Consider the case of a neglected trophy wife. She probably finds joy in
hanging out with friends but discovers that the joy doubles when she’s out
throwing her husband’s money around. The things she acquires, the people
she’s able to connect with because of her “generosity” are all emotional void
fillers.
We’ve taken this short trip through the mind of an average shopaholic so you
can see that the problem cannot be solved by simply taking their credit cards
away, I mean, are you saying they would never have access to them again?
This beast needs to be taken down from below, from its roots, permanently.

Winning the Battle Against Shopping Addiction

Having established that addiction to shopping, which leads to overspending,

is caused by the same root triggers of other forms of addiction, it is logical to
conclude that the same methods used in dealing with these forms of addiction
should prove effective in handling overspending. That aside, it is widely
known that the predominant and most effective method of treating addiction
is therapy.
With reports suggesting that between 5% and 9% of Americans have
compulsive shopping disorders, finding help as a compulsive or impulsive
spender isn’t difficult at all. Addiction counselors are on the ground, and a
good number of therapeutic interventions are being applied in helping
addicts, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and the 12-step
program.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy looks to hijack the power of overspending by
helping the addict challenge delusional beliefs, which are widely regarded as
building blocks for the triggers of compulsive spending. Thoughts are
believed to be sponsors of emotions and behaviors. CBT uses this assertion to
attempt to assist addicts in influencing their feelings about shopping and
remodeling their shopping behaviors by first reshaping their thoughts about
the activity and getting their minds in the right place. This has been a very
successful intervention program in treating many addictive behaviors.
While cognitive-behavioral therapy is majorly characterized by a single
patient interacting with a trained therapist at regular intervals, group
cognitive therapy is a more effective treatment for shopping addiction. This is
perhaps due to the additional benefits that accompany being in a group of
people battling the same problem. Addicts find themselves in a community of
people who understand what they are faced with and can relate with them
without being judgmental. Thoughts and struggles are shared freely, and
burdens are borne communally. This helps a great deal in speeding up the
healing process.
Another therapeutic measure quite very in the treatment of several addictions,
including overspending, is the slightly modified version of the 12-step
program. The program was originally co-founded by two recovering
alcoholics who founded the very famous Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an
organization tasked with helping people break free from their addiction to
alcohol. It started as a very faith-based program with emphasis placed on
total surrender to God. In addition to this, recovering members were tasked
with abstaining totally from alcohol, acknowledging Jesus as their savior,
growing in fellowship with God, and providing help for other alcoholics.
Since its early days, AA has evolved, and while the great emphasis is still
placed on total abstinence from alcohol and moral character, alcoholics are
now encouraged to find their higher being that can submit to on the path to
full recovery. Also, using their template for healing and full recovery from
addiction, several support groups for different addicts have sprung up in
recent years. Common examples include; Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers
Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous, Workaholics Anonymous, Debtors
Anonymous, and Spenders Anonymous, which happen to be 12 step support
groups for addicts with money problems.

Support Groups for Shopping Addicts

With research revealing that in the treatment of addictions, group therapy is

more effective than individual therapy, it seems prudent then for shopping
addicts to seek to join a community of other spending addicts instead of
seeking to tread the path of recovery alone. If this is the case, then addicts
need to know where and how to find these communities. In light of this, we
will be taking a quick look at two of the most popular support groups for
compulsive spenders.

Debtors Anonymous:

It is a twelve-step intervention program that seeks to help people who are

compulsive borrowers become solvent through a change in behavior. Debtors
Anonymous admonishes its members to keep track of their earnings,
purchases, and debt payments to know what their spending habits are. The
subsequent steps include the use of whatever information gathered to aid
members in being better money handlers. The focus of the program is mainly
to develop in its members, better spending habits by influencing their
thoughts and, ultimately, their behaviors.
Debtors Anonymous began in 1968 when a few recovering members of
Alcoholics Anonymous led by John H. began discussing their money
problems. The group went through several transitions and was even
disbanded only to be recreated in 1976.
Ever since DA has grown in leaps and bounds, Weekly, there are over 500
DA meetings in fifteen different countries, including; United States, United
Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Brazil,
Japan, and several others.
Debtors Anonymous has a website: debtorsanonymous.org, where interested
individuals can access more information about the program and, more
importantly, get the help they need.
Spenders Anonymous

Spenders Anonymous is another 12-step program designed to help

compulsive spenders. While it emphasizes money matters, its workings also
touch the use of time and energy unreasonably. Spenders Anonymous
highlights its purposes as helping people to stop spending money
compulsively, teaching them to take responsibility for their money, and
carrying the same message of healing to other compulsive spenders.
The program addresses the relationship people have with money and
delineates the characteristics of compulsive spending to help members
understand their situations. Such highlighted characteristics include:

1. Battling emotional troubles in money related matters

2. Spending money you don’t want to spend
3. Spending money you don’t have
4. Holding tight to money and not being able to let it go
The Spenders Anonymous 12 step program, just like the Debtors Anonymous
intervention program, uses the template drawn up by Alcoholics Anonymous
and adapts it accordingly. Through years of working with multitudes of
compulsive spenders, the organization has been able to identify activities that
help on the road to recovery, including reading and writing, exercise, play,
abstinence, service to others, and many more. Based on information on their
website (spenders.org), meetings are held in certain areas of the United States
and New Zealand, but support groups can be inaugurated in other parts of the
world.

Managing Overspending as You Recover

The healing process from any addiction is often long and exerting. So, while
you heal, you must put certain measures in place to curtail your spending and
avert a catastrophe.
Plausible measures for putting your spending under control:

Take someone with you when you shop.

Put your credit cards out of your reach.
Unsubscribe from retailer emails
Don’t hang out around malls and retail stores
Use automated savings systems or apps
 SECTION 2

Making the Right Choices

t is said that our lives a product or our daily choices. This I found to be true
I in so many ways.
For instance, if you want to be healthy, you're going to have to decide to eat
the right kind of food, exercise regularly, stay away from harmful substances,
and a myriad of other choices. You're not going to get healthy by mistake.
The same goes for issues like losing weight, or more importantly, getting out
of debt and becoming financially free
The quality of life that you would live is largely dependent on your financial
choices. While circumstances beyond your control might prevent you from
becoming the next Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos, becoming financially free is a
goal that is within reach.
What I'm saying, in essence, is that if you take control of how you think and
spend your money, you stand a very good chance of enjoying a life free of
financial troubles and hassles. Granted, many circumstances and situations
can come up that you have no control over. But, generally speaking, choosing
the right thing we'll make you a better person financially.
Unfortunately, for many people, financial education is something that they
ignore until it becomes too late. Imagine starting life with a debt profile of
over $10,000 all because you couldn't control your spending in your
adolescent years.
It is, therefore, important that you start building the right money habit and
gaining financial education early. Some mistakes are just too costly for you to
make.
In this final section of the book, we’ll take a good look at how you should
achieve financial independence and freedom as fast as you can. I can
guarantee that you’ll learn one or two things that you are doing wrong, or
maybe not paying enough attention to. And in the end, learn the things that
you can do to take control of your financial life.
Let's get this show on the road.
 CHAPTER 4

How to Handle Debts

ebt is a serious problem that millions of people face. According to a

D survey done in 2010 by Ap-GfK, Personal debt is the most significant
source of stress and pain that the average American faces. Recently, more
people have started talking about debt, but there is still a prevalent tendency
to avoid discussing personal finance,[ of which indebtedness is part of that. It
is, however, crucial that these conversations begin to happen because about
35 million Americans are overwhelmed by personal debt at this particular
moment. Many people are simply living from paycheck to paycheck and are a
few paychecks away from catastrophe.
Generally speaking, we can classify people into three categories when
speaking about debt

1. Your debts are overwhelming you and don't know how to get out
of it
2. You're worried that you might not be able to pay off all your
debt or worried about it getting out of hand
3. You have more than enough money, and you don’t need to think
about debt or credit at all.
If you are reading this book, you're most likely in the first or second category.
That being said, this is why you need this book. Together, we’ll work step by
step on how to get out of debt and stay out.
But first, let’s define in detail what debt is.

What exactly is Debt?

At the most fundamental level, you are in debt once you owe a person or
institution any amount of money. However, for this book, we’ll need to refine
that definition a little bit more. In this context, a secured loan is not exactly a
debt, even though you've had money loaned to you.

Debt is Not Incurred on a Secured Loan

A secured loan is a safe loan. In other words, when you secure a loan, the
lender is safe from any risk of losing your money. This is why the lender is
willing to lend you money because there's no fear of him losing it.
Your good faith, good credit rating, or even a good history of repaying loans
is not what secures a loan. A secured loan needs something that can be held
onto if you default on your loan payment. That something is called collateral.
Financially speaking, collateral is the property that you give to a lender to
hold as security for the tenure of the loan. That property is security; it is what
secures the lender’s money and keeps it safe. Once you repay the loan, he
gives you back your property.
The most common form of a secured loan is housing mortgages. Let's take
an instance where you want to buy a house for sale $300,000. You saved up
$50,000, which you then give as a down payment. Let's say the bank likes
your salary, job history, and your credit record. So, the bank has a level of
confidence in you, of course, that confidence is not going to get them to lend
you the extra $250,000. So, what the bank does is that they require you to
give them a mortgage on the house. This is a document that grants the bank
all legal rights to your house if you default on the repayment of the loan. If
you keep missing your mortgage payments for a specific period, the bank has
the right to foreclosure the mortgage. In other words, the bank has the right to
take possession of your home in exchange for what you owe, and then sell the
house and keep the proceeds of the sale for themselves. In this way, their
money is secure, and there is no risk whatsoever of the bank not getting their
money back. Car loans work in the same way. Say you want to buy a car for
$25,000, and you have $5,000 saved up, you put the $5,000 as a down
payment then borrow the balance which is $20,000 from either a bank or the
car manufacturer. To get the loan, you’ll have to sign a document that gives
the lender all the right and title to the car in case you don't pay the loan back.
So, if you default on the payment in these cases, the bank or any other lender
repossesses the property and recovers their money. So, if you default on a
car or house payment, you won't go into debt. You might lose your home or
your car, which can be extremely painful, but you will not go into debt.
These are not the only type of secured loans. Any arrangement that involves
you handing over the property of valuable material in exchange for a loan,
with the understanding that upon repayment of the loan, you get your
property back, should you default on the loan, the property becomes that of
the lender.
So, to come back to our original premise, we will consider debt as any money
that you owe that is unsecured. Speaking plainly, we define debt as:

1. Any amount that you borrow without putting up any collateral or

security
2. Any credit line extended to you
3. Any service or product that you take without paying for at the
moment that you receive it.
So, if you are short on funds for the week, and you ask your friend at the
office for $100, that's a debt. A Salary advance or an overdraft from the bank
also counts as a debt. Why? Because you did not put up any property as a
security for that particular loan.
Credit cards and credit account are also a form of debt. For example, if you
fly to another state for any reason and put the ticket on your American
Airlines card, that’s a debt.
So, here's a fun exercise, take out a piece of paper and write down all the
ways that you spend money that you do not have or that you incur debt.
For starters, every line of credit or account that you have with any major
organization, that allows you to make a purchase and then pay for it in the
future, is debt. Also, include every method that you've used money over the
last few months that was a loan and was unsecured.
Finally, add to the list all the methods that you've heard your friends or
family talk about, through which they can incur debt.
Now take a good look at his list, it's probably a lot longer than you would
have expected it to be. What does that tell you? If you are not careful,
chances you wind up in more debt than you expected to ever get into. Why?
It's too easy to get things on credit.
In case you didn't add this, here’s another way that you can incur debt. If you
fall behind on an unsecured obligation, then you've taken a debt. Here's an
example, assuming some unexpected expenses came up and you couldn't
meet up with your rent for this month, so you decide to defer till next month,
It's still a debt. Why? Your apartment is unsecured, and you didn't give your
landlord any collateral or security when you were moving in. Your landlord
trusted on faith that you would be prompt with your payment. Unsecured
obligations that you would usually default on and as such incur debt include
telephone services, utilities, property taxes, tuition, alimony and child
support, fuel bills, and credit card bills, among many others.
What's the point I'm trying to make here, it surprising that there are so many
opportunities by which you can get into debt. Debt comes in an almost
infinite variety of options and opportunities. However, it's not hard to
recognize it once you keep the basic definition in mind, and that is borrowing
cash without collateral, collecting services or goods without making payment
for them immediately, or falling behind on unsecured obligations. The basic
idea is that you owe money, and there's nothing that the lender has as a
security for the loan.
Recognizing that is a good start to getting out of debt

How Serious is the Debt Problem?

The problem of debt is a serious one; in fact, Americans are drowning in it. In
the 2019’s second quarter, the New York Federal Reserve reports, consumer
debt was approaching $14 trillion and was the 20th consecutive quarter that
consumer debt was increasing. The record-breaking $14 trillion recorded in
the second quarter was an increase of $219 billion from the previous quarter.
More importantly, it was a record $1.2 trillion higher than the previous record
of $12.8 trillion in debt from the third quarter of 2008.
Here are a few facts and figures about personal debt that paints a scary
picture of how serious this issue has become.

More than 189 million Americans have and use credit cards; in
fact, the average credit cardholder has a minimum of four cards.
Averagely, a single credit card in and household carries about $
8390 in credit card debt.
While the debt profile in the United States is quite high, specific states have
some Unique problems

Types of Debt

The word debt is a noun; you’ll never hear it used as a verb, at least not in the
English language. But in this section begin to use it in that way to distinguish
it from the other ways in which we spend money as well as from loans that
are secured
When analyzing debts, we can divide it into three kinds: reasonable,
problematic, and compulsive.

Reasonable Debt

Reasonable debt is when you pay for a lovely dinner out with a credit card, or
replace a damaged appliance in your home and pay for the new one over the
next year. It involves getting into debt while having a concrete plan and
means to payback. You usually incur this kind of debt when you've had some
heavy expenses to take care of, and there's something that you need to pay for
immediately.
Look, I get it, life can happen. You can lose your job and have to live on
your savings or maybe take a loan from a family member till you get a job
start paying it back.
In this situation, it is assumed that you are not already carrying substantial
debt and that under normal circumstances, you would have no issues with
meeting your bills and expenses. That kind of debt is reasonable and even
responsible.
It’ll be irresponsible to lose your house and car just because you were out of a
job for a few months.

Compulsive Debt
A compulsion, at least in this context, is an act that is repeated over and over.
Compulsions are usually internally motivated and driven by our
subconscious. Some compulsions might be generally harmless, such as the
compulsion to rearrange the items on a shelf. You can easily get into a
compulsion that can be extremely dangerous and harmful to your health.
Often, we try to make excuses for compulsions the harmful variety. Instead
of admitting that we may have a drinking problem, for instance, we’ll usually
come up with a lot of excuses to avoid dealing with the problem. We try to
minimize the dangers and make it sound as though it's no big deal. We can
go into denial and claim that the consequences of our compulsive behavior
are the reasons for our behavior. For example, we can claim that the reason
we go shopping so much is that it helps us forget the stress and pain of our
lives, while it is, in fact, the effect of shopping that makes us stressed in the
first place.
The meaning of compulsive debting, or incurring compulsive debt is simply
the fact that you repeatedly and continuously incur new debt irrespective of
the fact that it is causing you more financial and emotional trouble. Rather
than reduce your expenses to match your income level, you keep incurring
more debt, while finding ways to justify it to yourself or people around you.
You might win the argument, but the reality remains that you are increasing
your debt, and it becomes even harder to pay off.

Problem Debting

Problem debting and compulsive debting are quite similar. The only major
difference between compulsive and problem debt is largely due to skill,
intensity, and frequency. Typically speaking, a problem debtor would not
have as much debt as a compulsive debtor, neither would they experience as
much emotional stress and financial trouble as the compulsive debtor.
Typically speaking, problem debting is compulsive debting in its making. It’s
a common situation when there is a legitimate reason for getting into debt,
but for some reason, even after the reason is taken care of, the debt profile
doesn’t reduce. It could be that you have gotten accustomed to building debt
and haven’t done anything to reduce it.

Debt Symptoms
If you have a debt problem, how would you know? Strictly speaking, there
are usually many warning signs that show that you have a debt problem. The
problem is that you ignore them until it becomes too glaring to miss. When
you're unable to pay your bills, are threatened by angry creditors, or you start
hearing legal action and lawsuits being used in conversations, well, you know
trouble is underway.
Here are a few symptoms of a debt problem, if you can relate to these
problems extremely well, then you need to watch your debt level.

You Never Balance Your Accounts

If you have a problem with debt, you probably do not keep a running balance
in your checkbook, neither do you reconcile your balance at the end of the
month when you receive your statement. If you think that it’s too much
trouble or you are scared or tired of seeing the bad news, then you’re
probably in more debt than you know what to do with. As a result of this, you
never really know how much you have in your account. At best, you have a
rough estimate, and most times, you end up overestimating what you have.
Tragic, huh?

You Don’t Have a Plan for Next Month

If you find that you're not concerned with how you would manage your
finances for the next few months, the only concern is how you pay your bills
for this month, and then there is cause for worry.
In other words, your financial life cannot absorb shock. Let's say your
plumbing springs a leak or your car develops a major fault, well, your debt
profile increases suddenly because you have no money or reserves to fall
back on.
If you realize that you almost always feel pressured immediately, an expense
comes up, especially one as planned, then there's a problem with how you
manage your finances. Are you that person that does not have savings,
investment for any asset? Then you most likely will have a serious problem
with debt.
As you can see, these problems are quite serious ones, while they may seem
like insignificant and inconsequential things that you do each day, well, they
all add up to make a truly humongous and serious debt problem.

You hate opening the Mail

Whether it’s your e-mail or the physical post, you avoid opening letters
because you’re scared of getting troubling news from your creditors or seeing
yet another bill. You’re only comfortable with main from your family and
friends, well, except you owe them money too. In which case you don’t even
want to hear from anybody. Do you have bills and creditors’ letters piling up
on a corner of your desk? If so, then you most likely have issues with
finances, and those problems might include a problem or compulsive debt.
Many people apply the ostrich approach, that is, bury your head in the sand
and hope that it all goes away. Let me tell you straight up; ignoring your bills
and other financial responsibilities will not make them go away.

You send Checks at the Last Minute

Here’s a fun psychological game that you might like to play. It’s called, Let’s
pretend we have money than we have. How is it played? Simple delay writing
checks till the last minute. Pay any bills just on the verge of incurring late
charges. Hold on to as much money as you can for as long as you can. The
result? When you check your checkbook or keep a running balance, it’ll seem
as though you are in a good place financially. It’s easy to justify a credit card
debt of $8,000 - $10,000 when it seems that you have a running balance of
$4,000 - $5,000. Even if you didn’t start doing it consciously, it doesn’t make
it any less of a con job.
If you had paid all of your bills immediately, you’ll have seen that your
balance is around $2,000 and that’s all you have left to cover expenses that
are over $3,000 per month, and that whether you like it or not, you’re adding
an excess of $1,000 per month to your debt profile. If this is you, then I am
sorry to tell you that you’re playing yourself like solitaire, and in the not too
distant future, you might wake up to a truly humongous debt profile.

You Make almost all Your Purchases on Credit

Think back to the times when you made almost all your purchases in cash or
check. Especially when it comes to smaller items. Remember how simple
your life was? You only purchased what you could afford and no more, and
while you may not have had a lot, you had no worries about debt. Fast
forward to today, and you have multiple credit cards and a store account in
almost all the major stores. Meaning? All your purchases are contributing to
your debt.
Another difference? Previously, if you made a large purchase, such as a car
or a new freezer, you usually paid a larger down payment and kept your
monthly installments low. But now, your down payments are the required
minimum, and your monthly installments are larger. If you have a choice of
the length of time it’ll take to repay, and you’ll most likely choose the longest
time and then reduce the amount you’ll have to pay monthly.
You actively search for items that are offered at the lowest down payments or
the longest repayments, and then you consider yourself a smart shopper. You
probably aren’t at all. Why? Well. Your debt is rising, and your ability to
repay isn’t. Plus, you probably will end up paying significantly more than
you would have with a larger down payment.

You’re always paying your bills late

If you notice that the bills for this month already start coming in without you
clearing the previous months’ own. It’s not like you intentionally left them
unpaid, it’s just that you never got across to paying them. Now looking back,
you are surprised to see that the electricity or phone bill is still there. Or you
are shocked to find out that you didn’t get around to pay your rent or car
payment. Somehow, there are always more bills you thought there were, and
it’s always as though you’re playing catch up.
In fact, you find that unpaid bills rarely surprise you anymore. You take it in
stride and either roll it over or ignore it till it goes away. Unfortunately, you’ll
realize that you simply get more depressed, frustrated, and annoyed. Sounds
familiar?
If your regular response to your bills is resentment, and you are often saying
to yourself, “Oh no, won’t these bills ever stop coming,” then you might have
a problem with debt.
You Have Little or No Financial Knowledge

If you are ignorant of the terms of your financial agreements such as loans,
charge account, and credit card agreements, then you probably stand the
higher risk of incurring excessive debt. If you do not know how to read a
financial statement and have no idea what the various figures on the
statement mean, then you are more likely to get into debt since you don't
know your financial state anyway. If you don't know what portion of your
payment of a debt or loan goes to finance charge and what portion goes to the
principal, you are not far from indebtedness.
Are you aware of the interest rates credit cards, and do you know how much
it’ll take to pay off that latest purchase that you made? If the only thing you
know about your credit agreement is the maximum limit that you have, then
there's a problem, and you are likely to get into debt.

Getting Rid of Debt

If you are drowning in debt, it is as a result of the wrong choices you made.
Wrong choices sponsored by the wrong mindset and thinking patterns. The
effect of this is that you get into destructive behavioral patterns, such as those
that we just discussed. The first step, then, to solving the issue of debt is to
acknowledge that the problem exists, then fixing up your behavior to ensure
that it does not happen anymore. Just as was stated at the beginning of the
chapter, your financial life is a direct reflection of all your choices, and so if
you want to change your finances and get better, then you’ll have to make
better choices.
The steps that we talk about are quite simple and easy, involving many do-it-
yourself steps that help make you better at handling debt. Remember, the
battle will seem hard and sometimes even downright impossible, but by
remaining consistent with this uphill battle is the only way actually to get
better.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
Stop Taking Loans

Let’s be realistic. You aren’t going to pay off all your loans in 2 or 3 months.
It took you a relatively long time to build up that much debt, and it’ll take a
while before you can truly knock all out. All that becomes inconsequential,
though, if you keep taking out new loans and credit.
So, don’t use your credit cards as much as you used to. Stay within the
boundaries of earnings and limit your spending. Be frank with yourself and
know that it might be a long while before you can do anything extravagant
with money. You’re not going to get the newest iPhone when the one you’re
using works just fine. Neither will you buy that new game console while the
one you have is perfectly functional. Basically, you need to impose austerity
measures on yourself.
Earlier in this chapter, we made a list of as many ways as possible that you
could incur debt. It’s time for you to use that list again. Take it out and use
the items on the list to form a list of things that you can’t do until all your
debts are cleared.
Here’s the deal. If you can’t control your spending, you’re not going to get
out of debt anytime soon.
So, what am I telling you to do? Cut up your credit cards, especially if you
have multiple ones. Close all store accounts and only pay with cash or
checks. In essence, only spend the money you have. Money that you don’t
have shouldn’t be spent on things that you don’t really need

Get Started on a Debt Snowball

This method is quite a simple one, and no, it doesn’t involve any snow or
Christmas. It’s called the snowball method because it needs you to build
momentum, just as you need to create a snowball. If you ever created a
snowball as you kid, then you’ll know that to build a snowball, you have to
pack a small amount of snow into a tight ball and then roll it around in the
snow. As it rolls, it gains both speed and momentum and eventually becomes
so much larger than what you started.
It’s a decent way to create snowmen over the holiday, but it’s also perfect for
handling debt.
The debt snowball method is a strategy to help reduce debt, and It helps you
pay off your debts in ascending order, that is, from the smallest to the highest,
with you gaining momentum as you go on, which makes it gradually easier.
Here’s a basic breakdown of how the debt snowball system works.

Start by listing every single debt you own, then arrange it in

order of the smallest to the largest, irrespective of their interest
rates. That is, if you have a debt of $1000 with an interest rate of
3% and a debt of $2000 with an interest rate of 6%, you’ll
prioritize the $1000 debt and place it above the larger $2,000
debt.
Begin to make the minimum payments on all debts, except for
the smallest.
Pay as much as you can on the smallest debt.
Do this until that debt is knocked out, and then start with the
next one that is just a little larger.

What makes this system so effective? Well, just like a snowball that’s rolling
down the side of a hill, your debt snowball will take a while to pick up, but
once it does, and you begin to knock the truly humongous debts out of the
way, you’ll begin to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in yourself.
The greatest challenge will always be starting, but once you start, it becomes
very easy to maintain.

Increase Your Earnings

If your debt is high, then you need to increase how much you are earning, and
that is simply a fancy way of saying, get a second job or pick up a side hustle.
Anything that makes you a few extra bucks is welcome. You can try
blogging, creating a vlog, influencing via social media, and a host of other
things to make some extra cash. Don’t roll your eyes and give the excuse that
there’s no time. If you have the time to get into spend money and get into
debt, then you’re going to have to create time to earn some more money.
Learn to re-arrange your time and your energy, ensuring that you put them in
places that are profitable and help you earn. You might not like it, but you’re
going to have to do it.
When you want to get a second job or try your hands at a side hustle, then
you need to ask yourself a few questions. What do you want to do? And how
much time do you have to devote to it? When you find the intersection of
your passion, skills, and availability, you might just discover that you’re
earning even more than you expected.
For example, you can create an online class or video course to teach people
something you know. You can make some extra money by opening a dog
watching service, for example. Any way you do it, ensure that you are
constantly on the lookout for a second job or a side gig that can earn you
some money. And when you earn that money, it should go straight to paying
your debts and bills. Not for nights out and relaxing shopping trips, but to pay
your bills. It’s not as though those things aren’t good or even necessary, but
you can’t afford them at the moment, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Sell off Your Old Stuff

No, I’m not suggesting that you sell your great-grandma’s favorite necklace
that’s now a family heirloom. Rather, I want you to take a closer look at the
things you own and are not using any longer, then put it up for sale. If you are
like many Americans, there’s a boatload of things that are in your basement
or in storage that you don’t use anymore. Instead of it taking space and being
a nuisance overall, why don’t you sell it off? Previously, you’d have held a
garage sale, but now, you can upload the item to eBay, Craigslist, or
Facebook Marketplace and sell it off.
From an old TV to your kitchen appliances and even that old center table,
you can generate some extra revenue by selling them off. Of course, when
you do sell it off, you put it towards your debt snowball and keep it running.

Become Financially Literate

One of the symptoms of being in debt is that you lack basic financial
knowledge. But if you are going to be debt-free, you are going to have to
learn basic finance. You need to learn how to evaluate a credit line to see if
it’s worth taking. Take out time to read books, watch videos online, and, if
need be, pay for a couple of classes. The goal is to be financially literate
enough to handle your affairs without getting further into debt. It can be
frustrating when you keeping picking bad deals and incurring unnecessary
debt because of your ignorance. So, take out time to learn and pay attention
to all your financial decisions and deals. For example, do you know how
much your store accounts are costing you to hold and operate? Or how about
your favorite bar. Do you know how much of your check goes to settling
your tab?

Shop Smarter and Eat at Home

Between 2015 and 2016, Americans spent more at restaurants and bars than
they did at grocery stores. The meaning? Eating out is now a norm in society.
And it’s understandable. Rather than buying groceries, which does take time,
you can simply visit a restaurant, have your meal, and be out of there. What
you should consider once again is, can I afford it? The fact that all your
friends are doing it doesn't mean you should too. Cooking and eating your
meals at home is one of the best ways to save funds. Eat your meals at home,
and go to lunch at work with a lunch box, not your wallet. Not only do you
get to save cost, but you can also eat healthier.

Get Help

If you are not getting any better at handling your debts, you may need to
reach out for help. You can start by asking your family or closest friends to
help you track your bills and expenses. Knowing that you are going to be
accountable to somebody can help keep your borrowing in check. More than
that, you can get assistance from a credit counseling agency, and other debt-
relief counseling company. Some of the solutions that exist include debt
settlement, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy. Each of these options comes
with its disadvantages and advantages. As such, you might need to choose
which of these options is best for you.
You can also seek help via Debtors Anonymous, which is a group that
provides debt-help and is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Conclusion

In conclusion, debt, if not handled correctly, can be extremely problematic

and wreak havoc on your finances. It is, therefore, important that you reduce
your debt to the barest minimum. It’ll be difficult and might take some time
but with patience, discipline, and consistency
 CHAPTER 5

Becoming Financially Free and Independent: The

What, Why and How

suspect you have been fascinated by the idea of wealth creation. I mean,
I there are not many other reasons why you could be reading this book right
now. Have you found yourself wondering how some people can create
great wealth while others seem to get by barely?
In 2017, Forbes Magazine revealed that the three wealthiest men in America-
Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffet- collectively hold more wealth than
the bottom 50% of the American population. Perhaps you have read this. And
then you concluded that the rest of the population are fated to live on the
leftovers of this high net worth individuals.
The great news is this; financial independence is attainable by anyone who
strongly desires it! Your desire to live a life of financial freedom doesn’t have
to be a pipe dream. You can have more than enough to take care of your
needs, take care of those closest to you, and even give back. Just anybody can
accumulate great measures of wealth if they follow up on their desire, with a
decision, determination, and discipline.
But, if you start early enough, follow proven principles of wealth
management, and are willing to forgo instant gratification, you too can enjoy
a life of financial independence.
There’s social proof to that claim. Today, more people, at a rate faster than
ever, are attaining the status of financial independence. In 2019, a hooting
675,000 new millionaires were added in America. In 1997 only 5.1million
American homes had a net worth of $1million or more. Fast forward to 2019,
the figure has gone up to 18.6million millionaires. That’s over 360% growth.
What’s more? For each person that becomes a millionaire, many others have
piled up hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars in net worth. You see, then,
that not only is it possible to achieve financial independence, but it is also
easier now, more than ever before in the history of humanity.
Can all attain financial Independence?

If you were born poor, it’s not your mistake. But if you die poor, it’s your
mistake
Bill Gates
Although our motivations may differ, the desire to have wealth is universal.
Some want more money so they can live the life of their dreams- buy a big
house or splurge on exotic vacations around the world with loved ones. For
some others, their motivation for financial empowerment is to feel the
warmth that comes from offering help to people who need it the most.
The reason why only a small part of the world’s population ever attains
financial independence is not that they’re not interested in it. Since financial
success is so desirable, why then don’t we have more people reaching out for
it?
It turns out there are few limiting thoughts that have held many from aspiring
for, and reaching towards this common desire. They’ve held thoughts that
have made financial independence impossible for them. Like a self-fulfilling
prophecy, these thoughts have become their realities.
Many of the people who desire to enjoy a life of financial freedom don’t
believe that it is possible for them. For some, maybe. But, certainly not for
them. But how true is this belief?
Let’s back up to intrapersonal skirmish I made mention of earlier; what is it
about financially free, wealthy individuals that make them so? Is it something
in the water they drink? Is it a demographic thing? You know, you reside in a
certain place, and as sure as the moon follows the sun, you’ll be rich? I wish
that were the case, but it isn’t. Is it destiny? Are some people doomed to
wealth and some to poverty?
There are both wealthy and poor men in just about every nation of the world.
America- the wealthiest nation in the world still has people below the poverty
line. In 2017, the US Census Bureau estimated that 12.3% of 325million
Americans live in poverty. Similarly, in Africa (a continent which is
considered synonymous with poverty by some), over 20 African billionaires
exist (Forbes 2019). Financial freedom and wealth aren’t about where you
live or the color of your skin.
Could it be age? This is an easy one. You’re probably familiar with the
wealth of Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway, Bill Gates of Microsoft
Corporation, Sergey Brin of Alphabet Inc. (the parent company to Google),
Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook Inc. The Investment sage, Warren Buffet,
became a billionaire in his fifties. Those other names listed, they became
billionaires in their 20s and early 30s! Wealth doesn’t discriminate on age.
It’s safe to say that it’s only a matter of time before we see teenaged self-
made billionaires.
What should this mean to you? It should tell you that your current financial
situation or background is no hindrance to achieving financial independence.
The fact is, there are laws and wealth management strategies that you learn
and work in your favor that will cause you to retire rich or financially
independent.
To become financially independent, you must get rid of these thoughts and
replace them with empowering alternatives. We will consider two of these
beliefs, and one after the other, we’ll expose the lie in them.

Shattering the Two Most Common Myths about Financial Independence

If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right
Henry Ford

Myth 1: I wasn’t born by financially comfortable parents, and so I’ll

never be Financially Free

This is perhaps the commonest excuse in the book. We’ve all heard it before.
Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. Could it be that only those who are born
into privilege can attain financial independence? Oh, that must be the secret.
Hold that thought.
A survey carried out in 2017 by Fidelity investments revealed that an
overwhelming 88% of American millionaires are self-made. Some of these
first-generation millionaires started with little or nothing and piled their way
up to the golden $1million milestone. The notion that only those who come
from wealthy or even middle incomes can achieve financial independence is
simply wrong and unfounded!
Myth 2: I have to earn a Huge Income to Attain Financial Independence.

Do you have to be a Founder of Unicorn sized businesses or a top executive

at a Fortune 500 company to reach financial independence? The answer is
no! It turns out financial independence isn’t so much about how much you
earn but more about how you manage your finances. People who have
attained financial independence have simple, common-sense habits that allow
them to do so. Thanks to compound interest, through disciple, it’s possible
for an average Joe to retire rich. We’ll discuss this in Chapter 3.
Here’s an important statement; financial independence is not the exclusive
preserve of a select few. If you’ve found yourself crippled by thoughts of
impossibility as it concerns reaching financial independence, you should
make a note of it. This thought must be ingrained in your mind because if it’s
not, there’s no incentive even to try. Why would you try out an activity that
you know is doomed to failure?
Hopefully, buy now you’re beginning to see that financial independence is
achievable to anybody from all walks of life who desire it. As you continue to
read this book, remember it’s not enough to read it. If you must achieve that
financial independence goal, you must put the stuff in here into practice. If
you do, you will doubtless become financially independent.

What is Financial Independence anyway?

Financial Independence is about having more choices

Robert Kiyosaki
Financial Independence, like many other concepts in human endeavor, does
not have a universally acceptable definition. For this reason, we must define
the terms of financial freedom and independence. That way, we can avoid
confusion and ensure that we are on the same page.

A Closer Look

Financial freedom and financial independence are used synonymously.

Usually, the term financial freedom is used to convey the freedom that comes
from having your needs covered by your resources.
 Financial Freedom is freedom from fear
Robert Kiyosaki
The vast majority of people seem to agree on this; you achieve financial
independence when you reach a place where you have a stream of income to
pay your living expenses for the rest of your life without having to work a job
or depend on others for support. What most people don’t agree on, however,
is the mathematical model for attaining financial independence? There are
two popular models in this regard, and we will examine both of them.

Model 1: The Net-worth Model

The important metrics for measuring how close you are to financial
independence using this model are;

Net worth
Annual Living Expense
Financial Freedom Ratio

Understanding Net Worth

Your net worth is defined as the difference between your assets (financial and
non-financial) and your outstanding liabilities. In simpler terms, it is the
difference between what you own and what you owe.
For instance, if you own a non-incoming generating real estate property
valued at $200,000 and an automobile valued at $75,000, have a total saving
s of $27,000 and an investment portfolio with a market value of $150,000,
car loan of $15,000, mortgage balance of $75,000 and student loan balance of
$15,000, your net worth would be calculated as;
Net Worth= Assets - Liabilities
Net Worth= [$200,000+$75,000+$27,000+150,000] -
[15,000+75,000+15,000]
Net Worth= $347,000
This example is a positive net worth situation. If what you owe is greater than
what you own, then you would have a negative net worth.
To determine if you’re financially independent by the net worth model, you
divide your net worth by your (estimated) post-retirement annual living
expenses. The figure that you arrive at is called the financial freedom ratio
(FFR).
Financial Freedom Ratio (FFR) = investable asset/ annual expense.
This approach to financial independence requires you to have a net worth that
is a minimum of 25 times what you expect your post-retirement annual living
expenses to be. Which is simply another way of saying your FFR should be at
least 25.
For instance, if you’ve estimated that your annual living expenses after
retirement is $80,000, then you have to save up;
25 * $80,000 = $2,000,000.
Once you have $2 million saved up, then according to this model, you can
say that you’ve attained the status of financial independence. You can live off
a 3-4% of this for the rest of your life.
The age at which you intend to retire determines your FFR. If you’re retiring
at 60, then an FFR of 25 may be enough. But that wouldn’t cut it if you’re
planning to retire in your 30s or 40s your FFR would have to be higher. Say,
40 or even 50. Obviously, the higher you’re FFR, the longer your money will
last.
There’s an obvious flaw in this model. Net worth, defined this way, doesn’t
translate to liquidity or cash flow. So, to have the equivalent of your net
worth in cash, you have to sell off your non-financial assets.

Model 2: The Passive Income Model

Passive income refers to income earned without having to work a job or

without your direct and active participation. The passive income stream
model posits that you’re financially independent the moment your
monthly/annual passive income streams equals your monthly/ annual
expenses. That is, you are no longer dependent on a paycheck and have
enough freedom to live life on your terms.
So, let’s put some figures to this, shall we? Like we assumed earlier, let’s say
you needed $80,000 to meet your annual budget. If you have passive income
streams that provide a constant supply of $80,000 or more, then you’re
financially independent.
Also, if you have a reliable annual passive income stream of only $40,000,
then going by the first model, you only need to save up $40,000 * 25 attain
financial independence. The point being made is; it’s perfectly fine and
strongly advised that you combine these two models in a way that you enable
you to achieve your goals faster. It doesn’t be an “either this or that“
scenario.
Common Examples of Passive income streams are;

Royalties from Intellectual Property

Dividend and interest from your investments
Real Estate Rental
Earnings from a business
Appreciating Assets
Pension

These are only some out of many options, and none of them are created
equal. Some are riskier; some require more active involvement than others. If
you depend on passive income streams for your sustenance, then you have to
be sure that it is very stable.

What does Financial Independence mean to you?

It’s up to you on0 how you choose to define financial independence. Just
remember, at the heart of financial independence is that you have enough
money to maintain your lifestyle for the rest of your life while doing little or
no work. You can either choose to save into independence, create stable
passive income streams for yourself, or do both.
It’s necessary to mean that the goal of financial independence isn’t
necessarily to buy you time to idle away. Much more, it is to buy you the
freedom to experience life largely on your terms. To give time to the things
that matter the most to you, to pursue your passions, and so on.
Finally, there’s no standard on how much you need to have saved away (or
earning passively) in other to be considered financially independent. Every
individual has a figure that is unique to them. And this figure is based on the
age at which they hope to attain financial independence, the amount of
money they need to support their lifestyle, and the number of years they
intend for the money to last them through.
Now that you know this, it’s time for you to set your Financial Independence
Goal.

Why is Financial Independence Important?

He who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear with almost any ‘how.’
Friedrich Nietzsche
Why should we discuss the importance of financial independence &
freedom? Because your motivations must be clear to you. As Nietzsche
pointed out, if your reasons for pursuing a task are clear and compelling
enough, you will invariably devise a means to make it happen.
Your journey to financial independence isn’t going to be an easy one. If it
were, everyone would do it. Like any worthwhile endeavor, it would demand
that you preserve in the face of obstacles. That you look for a new job if you
get laid off, that you learn newer skills so that you’re more valuable in the
marketplace that you put off gratification till a later time…
When things get tough, you need to remind yourself why you set out for
financial independence in the first place. This will be the drive that keeps you
going. This is precisely why it’s crucial that you keep a record of your
motivations for aspiring to attain financial independence and that you remind
yourself of those reasons often.

3 Powerful reasons why you should strive to attain financial

independence

You won’t be young forever

Odds are, as you grow older, your energy levels will diminish, and so will
your earning ability. Do you want to be taking on odd jobs in your late sixties
and seventies? Well, if you don’t become financially independent, then that
possibility does exist! Warren Buffet said it better “If you don’t find a way to
make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.”
You got to grab it while you can! Now that you’re relatively stronger is the
time to put away money for the days when you’ll no longer be able to work.

Job Security is a Façade

The 21st century is a highly technologically driven age. As a consequence,

several jobs have been taken over by automation, resulting in hundreds of
thousands of layoffs. Since the pace of technological advancement isn’t
showing any signs of slowing down, we can expect that the trend will
continue. The layoffs that we’ll see are nothing compared to those that we’ve
seen in the past.
The signs are clear. The future of the workplace is very uncertain. Job
security no longer exists. Research data from the University of Chicago
revealed that the average American is only one paycheck away from being
broke. Is this you want to be, one paycheck away from a financial disaster?
Surely, no one would want that.

It makes life more enjoyable

Indeed, money can’t buy happiness. However, it is also true that money is
essential to happiness. Just how happy would you be if you couldn’t pay your
next mortgage billing or set apart enough money to meet the IRS deadline
and had to file for an extension? Pretty lousy, right? You bet! And one could
easily wind up with much worse money problems.
Summarily, money is essential to living a life of happiness and satisfaction.
For that reason, financial independence isn’t simply a ‘good to have’ it’s a
‘should have.’

How to achieve Financial Independence

You can start with nothing

Eric Thomas
Isn’t it amazing that you can start with little or nothing and still make your
way through to a comfortable and financially independent life? Heck, you
can even retire wealthy! This is perhaps the hardest truth for most people to
believe. To fully grasp the reality of this truth, there’s an important principle
that you must understand- The Compound Interest principle.

The Miracle of Compounding

“Compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world. He who understands it

earns it; he who doesn’t, pays it.
Albert Einstein
Compounding is a wonderful principle that makes it possible for those with
little or nothing to attain financial independence. And it happens so much
around us that we’ve become indifferent to it. Agrarian principles illustrate
the power of compounding all too well. Imagine that you planted just a seed
of corn to the ground. That one seed properly nurtured would produce a
couple of ears of corn containing numerous kernels. Given enough time, one
maize seed would have become hectares of land of maize farm, and it still
would be willing to go on.
Similarly, when you invest your money and allow it to compound over a long
period, you would be amazed at what the results would be. If you invested
only 2 dollars per day (equivalent to $60-62 per month) into the stock market
at an annualized rate of 13.2%. The returns would grow to over $1million
over after 46years. Your total input would have been $34,224!
Now ask yourself this, isn’t $62 a month an amount that most people can
spare to invest? Who says you’ve got to do $2? Imagine what happens if you
increase that number. Meanwhile, this is a highly a fairly conservative and
perfectly realistic approach as the annual stock market return since 2010 as in
fact been 13.2%
Do you see? A seemingly small amount of money, invested over a long
period for medium low-risk returns, will grow exponentially and bring you
wealth that you never taught possible. That’s the power of compounding

Learning to Delay Gratification

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain
of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs
 tons.”
Jim Rohn
Cultivating the habit of delaying gratification is non-negotiable in your quest
for financial independence. You will have to put off certain conveniences in
the short term so that you can enjoy greater pleasure in the long-term.
It is fairly certain that, as your savings and investments grow, so will
temptation to indulge yourself. “You’ve got it, why not flaunt it!” You must
continue to discipline yourself to override the desire for instant gratification.
Without delaying gratification, it is impossible to achieve great wealth!

The Best Time to Start is now

Sometimes, having learned the principle of compounding, people still refrain

from initiating the process. Rationalizing that, they will make for lost time by
putting in more money. Let’s examine what the results of that would look
like.
Consider these fictitious twin brothers Blake and Luke. Both Blake and Luke
earn an annual Return on Investment (ROI) of 7% on investment. However,
they have differing saving habits.
Blake saves $5,000 each year from the time he was 20 to 30. And then he
stopped adding money to his portfolio. Luke, on the other hand, invests the
same amount of money starting from the time they were aged 30 to age 60.
Blake invested $5,000 yearly for ten years totaling $50,000. Luke invested
$5,000 annually for 30 years totaling $150,000.
By the time the brothers are 60 years, Blake’s investment has grown into
$602,070, while Luke’s investment is now worth $540,741. Even though
Luke invested three times more money than Blake did, Blake’s amount has a
higher value! What’s more interesting is that even if Luke continues to save
for an additional 20years, he still won't catch up! All because Blake started
(and stopped) 10 years earlier than Luke.
The lesson here is although it’s never too late to start putting away money to
compound, you’re better off starting early.

6 Steps to Financial Independence

Make a Firm Decision

The first and most important step you’ll ever make towards ensuring your
financial future is to make a firm, unequivocal decision to become financially
independent. To say, “I’ll give it whatever it takes until I become financially
free” and mean it. To decide that even in the face of disappointing
circumstances, you still will not back down. If you truly desire to become
financially independent, don’t put off making this decision. Decide now,
rather than later, to become financially independent.

Make a Plan

The next step is to create a plan for financial independence. You cannot
simply desire to have wealth and expect that someday, somehow, someway
you’ll stumble upon it. No. Although everyone desires wealth, a solid and
continually optimized plan to get wealth is often the missing key for lots of
people.
If you fail to plan, you have invariably planned to fail. Let’s put that in
perspective; If you don’t make a plan for wealth and commit to it, you have
invariably fated yourself to poverty or, at best, a mediocre financial life.
Making a Plan involves asking probing questions such as;

What does financial independence mean to me? How much

do I have to have to consider myself financially independent?
Financially, where do you stand now? What is the current state
of my finances? My net worth, annual earnings, monthly living
expenses, and debts?
What is my specific financial independence goal? How much
will I have to invest to achieve my financial independence goal?
Don’t pick a figure that you do not believe you can attain. To do
so is to self-sabotage. You would have failed before you even
started. While it is important to dream big, it’s also crucial that
you stay within the limits of what you consider achievable.
When do I desire to have achieved financial independence?
 This involves setting a goal of how much you’d need to have
saved up in other for you to consider yourself financially
independent — the specific time you want to have achieved
independence. The specific percentage of your income you
would have to put any in other to secure your financial future.
What can I give up now to lay the foundation for your
financial future? Family vacations? Are you putting off buying
a new car? Are you shopping from thrift shops rather than the
mall?

Commit to a Frugal Lifestyle: Save and Invest.

Research has revealed that one of the common denominators of self-made

millionaires is frugality. They always live below their means. If you are to
achieve financial independence, you too must learn to do the same. The secret
to achieving financial independence is to have fluid funds to either put away
in a saving account or to invest. How are you going to do that if you are
living above your means?
You might think, but I already earn so little, my current earnings do not even
cover my needs. That’s exactly the point. Since your current earnings don’t
fully cover for your needs, why not set aside a bit of that income to work a
principle that can ensure that you have your future needs catered for?
It’s important to; cultivate the habit of saving a certain percentage of your
income no matter how little. At first, it may seem uneasy. But, since we
humans are adaptable creatures, you will eventually get comfortable with
living on the income you have left after saving.
Remember, a low-risk investment is a far better alternative than a simple
savings account. So, if you want your wealth to grow faster, don’t just save
up money. Look for ways to invest your money too. Common investment
options are real estate, bonds, and mutual stocks.
Here’s an activity that will reveal backdoors to your income: Track your
expenditure. Record every cent spent. You will likely be shocked at what you
find. By tracking your expenditure, you will know exactly which way your
money goes and can use that data too make smarter decisions on how to cut
your expenses.
In your budget, cut your fixed and recurrent expenses wherever possible.
Make allowances for essentials such as housing, groceries, transportation,
utilities, insurance, loan repayments, and so on. This way, you will have more
money to put into living a life of financial freedom.

Build an emergency savings account.

Remember, the average American lives from pay-check to pay-check. By

building an emergency savings account, you are creating a safety net. Your
first goal might be to set aside 30 days’ worth of living expenses. After
achieving that, you can grow the savings up to 6 months’ worth of your living
expenses. These funds can also cater to other unplanned expenditures such as
hospital bills or a car crash.
With an emergency savings account like this, you have already risen above
the average American. And this has a profound effect on your confidence.
Knowing that you’re buffered against certain emergencies will increase your
self-esteem and cause you to give yourself more diligently into the goals that
you are pursuing.

Increase your Earning Ability.

By steadily increasing your income while holding your living expenses at

bay, you can rapidly increase the speed at which you achieve your financial
independence goal. This makes increasing your monthly earnings a
worthwhile goal, and one way to do that is to provide more noticeable value
at work.
The key to earning more in the workplace is becoming more valuable at
work. And the secret to becoming more valuable is learning more. By making
a lifelong commitment to learning more and more about your field and as a
result, you can progressively increase your income. The more you learn, the
more you will earn, the more you can save, and the quicker you can achieve
that financial independence goal that you have set for yourself.

Create Multiple Streams of Income

In the last point, I emphasized that having more money to commit to
investments will fast track your journey to financial independence. Your
earnings do not have to come only from your job. Common options for
supplemental income include; income from real estate rentals, dividends from
investments in the stock market, or other revenue-generating assets
The 21st century offers even more options for you if you are interested in
starting a side gig. You could start a drop shipping business, a consulting
business, run a blog, become an Uber or Lyft driver, etc.

Everybody can be Financial Independent.

Imagine that you never have to worry about money? Wouldn’t that be a great
feeling? This goal is not the equivalent of building castles in the air. It is
achievable, and it’s achievable by anybody.
In your pursuit of financial independence, it’s important to turn your desire
on. Why? There’s such a thing called a law of attraction. It is one of the most
powerful principles in the universe. This law of attraction says that your
thoughts create a field of energy that radiates out from you and attracts into
your life people and circumstances in congruency with those thoughts. In
other words, what you think is what you’ll get.
It’s impossible to work your way into financial freedom overnight. Although
the process may not be easy, it is as simple as it has been laid out in this
book. With some hard work, discipline, dedication, and patience, not only
become financially independent. You can also become wealthy.
Here’s a poem that was written in the 19th century
I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening

When I counted my scanty store;

For Life is just an employer,

He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.”
Jessie Rittenhouse;
In summary, life will give you not what you wish for but what you demand
and are willing to take out of it.
 Final Thoughts

Well, you made it to the end of the book. Congratulations!!

I believe that you have learned a lot of valuable lessons throughout your
journey through this book. You’ll probably also realize that there are a lot of
thoughts re-echoed throughout the book, most especially when you look at
the various solutions that I proffered to various financial issues that you
might be facing.
As a recap, I’ll repeat them one last time.

1. Live within your means. Almost all financial problems start

when you decide to make expenditures that you really can’t
afford. You’ve already learned in this book that just because you
CAN buy something, doesn’t mean you can afford it. In real
terms, you may be hurting yourself when you spend more than
you earn
2. Have a budget. To live within your means, you’ll have to say no
to a lot of things. And that involves a budget. You need to say no
to things that are not on your budget. Once you create one, stick
to it, and then watch your financial situation grow. If you make a
purchase that is outside your budget, ensure that you knock of
something of equal value of your list of things to buy. If you
splurge and get that new shoe when you know you shouldn’t,
then eliminate that night out with the girls from your budget.
Once you punish yourself in this manner a few times, you’ll
most likely develop the willpower to stick to your budget
3. Save up. The goal is to have at least six months of living
expenses saved up. That is, you should have at least enough
money saved up to live for six months without going further into
debt. This will help you in the case that something unexpected
happens. So, for instance, you lose your job, or your car has a
major fault that needs to be fixed, that can help bail you out. Of
course, once your savings dip below the set threshold, you
 should refill it once you go back to normal.
4. Invest. You’re not going to get financially free by saving. So,
start investing and start investing now. Gather as much
information as you can, and invest your money in a low-risk
investment, and be consistent with it. Do this consistently and
watch your retirement nest egg soar like crazy.
That’s it, that’s all you need to do to be free from financial trouble and live a
life free of money stress. So, my advice, go out there and start applying the
principles of this book to your life and see it get better. Do write to me and
tell me your success stories. I love hearing them